Dental Exam 

Dental Exam | Nothing keeps your teeth healthy, shiny, and white more than practicing proper dental hygiene. We think it’s so important that we are celebrating it for the entire month of October as National Dental Hygiene Month.

This is the time to appreciate healthy and attractive teeth and mouths, as well as celebrating the hard work of your dental hygienist in helping you keep them that way.

Fittingly, the most appropriate way to celebrate Dental Hygiene Month is to “brush up” on the basics of proper dental hygiene, including:

• Brushing your teeth at least twice daily
• Flossing on a daily basis
• Using a good fluoride mouthwash
• Staying hydrated and keeping your mouth fresh by drinking plenty of water

Fluoride Treatments

One way to acknowledge National Dental Hygiene Month is to undergo a professional fluoride treatment. This involves the application of high fluoride concentrations to your teeth to minimize the chances of developing cavities.

Treatment with fluoride can be provided by a dentist or dental hygienist. This type of treatment may come in a number of forms, like gels, solutions, foams and varnishes.

A professional fluoride treatment involves the use of fluoride in a much higher concentration than you would find in over-the-counter toothpastes or mouthwashes. It should only take a few minutes to complete, and all you need to do to is to avoid eating food or drinking beverages for about an hour after your treatment so that the fluoride is completely absorbed by your teeth.

Daily Flossing

Another way to get with the spirit of National Dental Hygiene Month is to make sure that you are flossing your teeth every day. This is extremely helpful in removing plaque that can accumulate between the teeth, potentially causing cavities or gum disease. Most people do their flossing in combination with toothbrushing.

Dental Cleaning Appointments

You may think that you’re doing everything perfectly at home with your oral hygiene. But it’s always possible for plaque to hide in areas that are not as visible or easy to reach. A dental cleaning appointment helps to ensure that all plaque is removed from your teeth to help prevent gum disease.

Your dental hygienist will use special dental tools to scrape away and remove accumulated plaque from your teeth and around your gum line. Assuming you are getting your teeth cleaned regularly, it should not take that long to complete. Your hygienist will also thoroughly polish your teeth for a silky smooth finish.

Importance of Dental Exams

Many patients are operating under the false belief that their cleaning efforts alone guarantee that they will not develop tooth decay or gum disease. Although you are brushing and flossing at home is the first line of defense against these common dental problems, it is not always enough.

Plaque is quite sneaky. When it first forms, it can be colorless and undetectable. It can also develop in out-of-the-way places that may not be so obvious to you.

There are also other types of dental problems that may escape your attention. Your dental hygienist provides a comprehensive dental exam so that no problems are missed. By keeping up with your dental exam and cleaning appointments, you are giving yourself your best chance to tackle problems before they become larger, more expensive ones.

Schedule Your Appointment

Have you been putting off your routine dental exams? To help prevent tooth decay and periodontal disease, we strongly encourage you to contact our office to schedule your next dental exam and cleaning. New patients are welcome.