What to Expect During a Dental Exam and Cleaning

Blog Author
Feb,1 2021

Prevention is better than cure. Therefore, preventing dental issues would be better than treating them. As part of preventive dental care, your dentist might recommend dental exams and professional cleanings.

Your oral hygiene routine might not be enough to keep you from dental issues. Therefore, your dentist might recommend cleanings to eliminate plaque and tartar, preventing tooth decay. On the other hand, oral exams enable the dentist to identify potential dental problems and offer treatments before developing complications.

Why Should I Have a Dental Exam and Cleaning Procedure?

Unlike other dental procedures, you don’t have to wait until a problem develops to visit your dentist. You might be having dental issues that have no symptoms. To identify such dental problems, you should consider visiting a dentist for a dental exam and cleaning every six months.

Some people who no longer have their natural teeth are not an exception since their dental work might get damaged. Their gums and jaws need regular check-ups to prevent the development of issues that can cause further complications.

Preparing for a Dental Exam and Procedure

If it’s the first adult dental check-up, you can ask friends to refer you to a clinic that offers a dental exam and cleaning near you. when choosing the dentist, you might want to consider one who participates in your dental health insurance plan.

At the dental office, you can raise your concerns to the dentist. If the regular procedure for a dental exam and cleaning in Pflugerville might affect your overall health, the dentist might design a custom treatment plan for you. However, dental exams and cleanings are safe procedures.

What to Expect During the Dental Exam and Cleaning Procedure

During the dental appointment, your dentist or oral hygienist might perform several procedures. Your dentist will evaluate your dental and general health. If you are at risk of developing dental cavities, the dentist might carry out additional tests before recommending a treatment plan.

Your dentist might also check for any signs of gum disease and offer treatments immediately since it might be hard to reverse the effects of periodontitis. Other physical exams that the dentist might carryout include checking the bite, jaw, and the need for fluoride treatments.

Dental Cleaning

During the dental cleaning, your oral hygienist or dentist will use a scaler to remove plaque and tartar deposits on the teeth surfaces. The dentist can consider root planing or deep cleaning to remove tartar and plaque deposits below the gum line and reduce periodontal pockets.

Dental X-Rays

For further diagnosis, the dentist might recommend digital x-rays. During a dental exam and cleaning in South Austin, the dentist might recommend dental x-rays to check the jawbone and signs of a root canal infection.

However, x-rays are not necessary during every dental exam. Therefore, your dentist will recommend x-ray imaging depending on your risk of developing a particular dental issue.

Oral Cancer Screening

Oral cancer can be treated in its early stages. Therefore, you should consider regular screenings to check for the signs. During the dental exam, the dentist will check the lymph nodes and below your tongue for oral cancer signs.

Oral cancer can be characterized by white lesions on the gums and cheeks. Alternatively, the dentist might utilize dyes to check for malignant cells.

Dental Impressions

When you seek a dental exam and cleaning in North Austin, the dentist might recommend taking impressions of your teeth to evaluate your bite or use them to create a custom protective mouthguard for bruxism.

After the Dental Exam

If you have or at risk of developing a dental problem, your dentist will recommend treatments immediately. If you don’t have any dental problem, the dentist will discuss your oral health and the risk of developing dental health issues.

To prevent or reduce the risk of developing dental problems, our dentist at Peak Dental might recommend the following:

  • Brushing your teeth twice daily using a proper toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste to reduce the risk of decay
  • Flossing your teeth daily
  • Eat foods rich in calcium
  • Avoid habits that might cause decay such as eating sticky and sugary foods

The dentist will then recommend follow-up visits. For dental cleanings and exams, you can visit our clinics in South Austin, North Austin, and Pflugerville.

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