Dental Exams and Cleanings

Dental Exam

Regular dental exams help maintain good oral health, and it gives an opportunity to your dentist to educate you with dental tips and tricks and help detect oral diseases early. The American Dental Association recommends the adults to schedule regular dental exams at an interval of 6 months. 

Even if you have lost all your natural teeth, it is necessary to visit your dentist for the maintenance of your dental restorations like crowns, bridges, and dentures.

What happens during a dental exam?

A comprehensive dental examination with your dentist and hygienist will include the following:

• Digital X-rays are used to detect the presence of decays, tumors, cysts, bone loss, gum recession, malocclusion, wisdom teeth, and impacted canines. This helps in treating problems while they are still in their initial phase.
• Oral cancer screenings are performed to check the face, neck, lips, tongue, throat, tissues and gums for the presence of abnormal growths. Oral cancer detected early is treatable.
• Gums are examined to determine the presence of tartar accumulation and abscess pockets. Gum diseases detected during the gingivitis stage are reversible.
• The existing restorations like veneers, crowns, and bridges are checked for fitting and maintenance purposes.
• You will be educated about the benefits and importance of a balanced diet for good oral health. Also, your hygienist will demonstrate the correct way of brushing and flossing. 
• The need for cosmetic enhancements is discussed, and your dentist will guide you through with the benefits of smile improvement. 
• You will be recommended the best time to return for a follow-up visit. You will be advised to come for frequent checkups in case of severe decay and high-risk of developing oral diseases.

Dental Cleaning

Professional dental cleaning or prophylaxis focuses on removing plaque, tartar, and trapped food particles from the teeth. It is performed by a dental hygienist or a dentist. Professional dental cleaning is an integral part of a good oral care regimen. Ignorance can lead to discoloration, gum diseases, bone recession, decay, and tooth loss.

What happens during a dental cleaning?

Professional dental cleaning is performed in 5 simple steps.

1.  Removal of plaque

Plaque is a gluey invisible layer that forms on the topical surface of teeth. It inhabits a colony of bacteria, trapped food particles, and saliva. It is necessary to remove bacteria because they release toxins that inflame the gums. Scaling tools are used to scrape away the film of plaque.

2.  Removal of tartar

Tartar or calculus is the hardened plaque film that firmly locks onto the teeth and often reaches below the gumline.  Special dental instruments are used to scrape away the tartar. Tartar can only be removed with professional cleaning.

3.  Gritty toothpaste cleaning

The hygienist will brush your teeth with an electric toothbrush, using a toothpaste with gritty consistency. The gritty structure of the toothpaste removes any left behind plaque or tartar.

4.  Expert flossing

Regular brushing and flossing is a must but not enough. An expert flossing session is required twice a year to remove all trapped plaque and food particles. Expert flossing can remove the debris from the hard-to-reach places. 

The teeth are then polished to smoothen the teeth.

5.  Fluoride treatment

The last step of professional dental cleaning is a fluoride treatment. A fluoride treatment laminates the teeth with a fluoride based varnish to form a protective layer on the teeth to help them fight decay and cavities.

We, at Bliss Dentistry of Campbell, California, cater to all your needs pertaining to dental services and routine exams. Our Campbell dentists with their entire team persevere to provide you with exceptional treatment that enhances and maintains the beauty of your smile. If you have any further question, queries or dental emergencies and are looking for an experienced dentist in the South Bay Area, feel free to contact us at (408) 963-6678 to schedule an appointment.