The Significance of Dental Exam and Cleanings

Maintaining good oral hygiene requires consistent effort. For many people, this means brushing and flossing their teeth daily. However, while these practices do contribute to maintaining good oral health, they are only part of what you need to do to keep your mouth healthy. Home-based care alone such as brushing may not be sufficient to treat or protect you from dental issues. This is why the American Dental Association advises you to see a dentist at least once every year for routine teeth cleaning and examination. This is just a general guideline and the frequency of visits may be more, depending with the state of your oral health and your dental needs.

Why it is Done

Getting dental exams and cleanings in Easton, PA, is important if you wish to avoid oral problems like gum disease and tooth decay. Some illnesses like gum disease have subtle and painless symptoms that can easily be ignored until the issue is far advanced to the point of causing irreparable damage. At Maple Tree Dental, the dentists are trained and equipped to see what you will ordinarily not see. During the routine visits, different areas of the mouth, face and neck to rule out any potential problems. So, if you are looking forward to prevent oral problems or treat them whilst still in the early stages, make a point to schedule for regular exams and cleanings.

In addition to promoting good oral health, routine exams also help protect your overall health. The symptoms of some systemic illnesses such as arthritis, lupus, diabetes and rheumatoid may first show up in the mouth. Your dentist or hygienist is able to spot these early indications and advice you on how to get the necessary treatment.

You can also take the opportunity to learn about your dental needs. Use the time to raise any questions or concerns you have relating to your oral health. Usually, based on the findings of the dentist, you will be appropriately educated on how to care for your teeth and even how to spot problems whilst they are still in the early ages. After the appointment, you should have learnt how to properly brush and floss, the right products to use as well as how your lifestyle choices influence your oral and overall health.

What Happens During Dental Exams and Cleanings?

Here is what you can expect from your dentist when you go in for a dental and cleaning:

• A review of both your oral and overall health medical history. You may also be asked to reveal any medications you are taking and have a discussion on how they could impact your oral health.
• Physical examination of your entire mouth and areas surrounding it such as the cheeks, face and neck for any signs of abnormalities.
• Evaluation for your risk of tooth decay, cavities and gum disease.
• Check to see if you need any kind of tooth restoration treatment.
• Asses the quality of your bite to determine any problems with your bite or jaw.
• Professional cleaning which involves teeth scaling, brushing with a gritty toothpaste and expert flossing. Scaling is a process used in teeth plaque removal as well as teeth tartar removal. After the cleaning, your need for fluoride will be assessed and if need be, it will be applied to help strengthen the enamel.
• Dental x-rays may also be taken to provide detailed pictures of certain areas in the mouth. This helps in diagnosing problems that may not e visible during a physical exam.
• Oral cancer screening.
• Demonstration on how to properly clean your teeth as well as how to take care of any dental restorations you may have such as dentures or bridges. You will also get advice on your diet, use of tobacco and other lifestyle habits that can affect your oral health.

On completion of your dental examination and cleaning, your dentist in Easton, PA will recommend a follow-up visit. If you pose a high risk for dental complications, you will need to get more frequent check-ups to keep everything in check. In addition, if any problems were discovered during the visit, you will need to get treatment which might during a later appointment.