Exam, X-Ray and Cleaning
Dental Exam San Diego, near Escondido, Poway and Rancho Bernardo
Daily brushing and flossing are crucial for maintaining optimum oral health, but regular visits to the dentist are important as well. The standard recommendation of most dentists is to visit every six months, though depending on the condition of your teeth and gums, Dr. Salami may suggest that you come more or less frequently. Dental cleaning and dental checkups are the most common components of a routine dental visit, though the exact treatment plan can vary from person to person. Here’s what you need to know.
Dental Cleaning San Diego
Professional dental cleaning is one of the main reasons Dr. Salami recommends that patients visit every six-months. Even people who are consistent about brushing and flossing have certain hard-to-reach areas between or around their teeth that don’t quite get clean with at-home oral care practices. When plaque builds up in these spaces, it can cause tooth discoloration, bad breath, tooth decay, and gum disease. Dental hygienists have a better vantage point as well as specialized tools that enable them to find and clean those nooks and crannies before dental issues arise.
The standard procedures involved in a routine dental cleaning include:
- Tooth scaling – to scrape tartar from the surface of your teeth, or in certain cases, below the gum line as well.
- Polish and floss – to remove food particles and plaque from the surface of your teeth as well as between them. Polishing also helps to treat stains and to give your teeth a smooth surface that plaque can’t stick to.
- Fluoride treatment – If the dental paste used to clean your teeth does not contain fluoride, your dental cleaning may include a fluoride treatment to help strengthen your tooth enamel and protect against cavities.
In people who have developed gum disease, pockets may form in the gums, giving tartar and plaque a place to hide below the gumline. When this happens, deep cleaning procedures may be necessary. These typically include:
- Root planing and scaling – two procedures intended to remove plaque and tartar below the gumline, and to smooth out the tooth roots so that the gums can reconnect to the tooth roots.
In the case of gum disease and gum pockets, Dr. Salami may recommend more frequent dental cleanings (every three or four months) until the pockets close.
Dental Checkup San Diego
In addition to cleaning and polishing, routine visits include a thorough dental examination to ensure that you are in good oral health and to catch any potential dental problems that may have developed since your last visit. During the exam, Dr Salami or the dental hygienist will:
- Screen for signs of oral cancer
- Look for signs of tooth decay
- Check for signs of gum disease
- Assess jawbone health
- Check your teeth alignment
Identifying and treating tooth decay, gum disease, and other dental issues at an early stage increases your chance of a successful outcome. It can also save you the time and money required to manage more serious dental complications that arise when they’re left untreated.
Your amazing smile is only a phone call away. Book your appointment today.
The Benefits of Routine Checkups and Cleanings
Nobody loves the idea of going to the dentist. But the more consistent you are with your routine dental appointments, the more comfortable you’ll get. People who brush and floss daily and visit their dentist every six months typically experience uneventful dental checkups. The more often that happens, the easier it becomes to attend your appointments consistently. In case that’s not enough to convince you, here are 7 more benefits of routine checkups and cleanings.
Your amazing smile is only a phone call away. Book your appointment today.
