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When it comes to caring for your oral health, you need extra help besides the effort you put into it at home. Visiting your dentist regularly and undergoing dental exams and cleaning goes a long way in prolonging positive oral health.
Dental exams are also known as oral exams or dental checkups. These consist of checking up on your gums and teeth by your dentist. The American Dental Association recommends visiting your dental office for an exam every six months.
Dental exams are commonly performed by both dentists and dental hygienists. A dentist is a doctor that is specifically trained to provide oral care. A dental hygienist, on the other hand, is a healthcare professional that is trained to deep clean teeth and help their patients maintain proper oral hygiene.
There are various benefits to regular dental exams and cleaning. Some of them are mentioned later in the post.
When you come to the Brooklyn Boulevard Dental office for your regular visit, here is what you can expect during the dental exam process –
Physical Dental Exams Brooklyn MN
The physical dental exam consists of checking the teeth and gums. Your dentist will thoroughly examine your teeth for any cavities or structural defects like chips, cracks, or breaks. They will also check for tartar and plaque on the teeth.
Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria. If not taken care of, it hardens to become tartar. You cannot remove the latter by simply brushing and flossing. The presence of plaque and tartar on your teeth can lead to oral diseases.
The next step is to examine the gums. This is usually done with a special tool that measures the depth of the spaces between your gums and teeth. In a healthy mouth, the spaces are shallow. These may become deeper if the patient is suffering from gum disease.
The physical dental exam also involves carefully checking up on the other facial structures – the tongue, throat, head, neck, and face. This is done to look for any signs of trouble like redness, swelling, or possible cancer indications.
Digital Dental Exams Brooklyn MN
Depending on what they find, your dentist might recommend a digital exam. These consist of tests that are performed to examine the inner parts of the oral cavity. A digital exam is usually recommended if your dentist detects an oral symptom or problem, like a cavity. Examples of digital exams include –
As the name indicates, cleaning is the process of professionally cleaning your teeth to remove plaque, tartar, stains, and debris. This procedure is usually performed by a dental hygienist.
Professional cleaning helps boost your oral hygiene as it cleanses your teeth, gums, and tongues and gets rid of harmful bacteria. A cleaning session is the best way to ensure that your mouth is infection-free.
Here’s what you can expect during a professional cleaning session at Brooklyn Boulevard Dental.
A Physical Checkup
Before the actual cleaning process, your dentist or dental hygienist will examine your entire mouth.
They will use a small mirror to check for any signs of gum disease (gingivitis) or any other potential concerns. Any major problems that are detected are taken care of either during the appointment or at a later date.
Removal Of Plaque And Tartar
With the help of a small mirror as a guide, a special instrument known as a scaler is used to remove any plaque and tartar. The area around your gum line is cleaned along with the areas between your teeth.
Cleaning With A Gritty Toothpaste
Once the plaque and tartar have been removed, your teeth are brushed with an electric high-powered brush. This brush helps give the teeth a good deep clean, removing any tartar that might be left behind.
The toothpaste that is used tastes and smells just like regular toothpaste. However, the consistency is gritty and it gently scrubs the teeth. Using gritty toothpaste is safe only by a professional. You shouldn’t be harsh with your teeth at home as it will lead to wearing down of the enamel.
Expert Flossing
While you might floss regularly, it doesn’t compare to flossing by an expert. A dental hygienist can get deep between the teeth, locating any spaces with potential issues.
However, this doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t floss at home. A professional flossing session removes any leftover toothpaste or plaque from the previous cleaning process.
Rinsing
The next step is to rinse your mouth to get rid of debris. Your dentist or dental hygienist will give you a rinse containing liquid fluoride.
Application Of Fluoride Treatment
The last step of the professional cleaning process is the application of fluoride. The treatment is to help protect your teeth against cavities.
A foamy gel or sticky paste is applied to a mouthpiece that fits over the teeth. The mouthpiece is removed after a minute. Aside from the gel or paste, a fluoride varnish is also applied to the tooth using a small brush. The varnish hardens when in contact with saliva, allowing you to eat and drink immediately after the treatment
When you regularly visit your dentist and take advantage of dental exams and cleaning, you –
If you’re considering visiting a dental office to get them examined and cleaned, look no further. Get in touch with the dental experts at Brooklyn Boulevard Dental to kickstart your oral health journey. Give us a call at (763) 533-8669. You can also request an appointment here.
Our Dental Care Office is conveniently located between Hwy 100 and I-694 on Brooklyn Blvd., right next to the CVS Pharmacy. We strive to deliver the most reliable teeth whitening, restorative, cosmetic, and family dentistry services to our patients. Use the map below for door-to-door directions.
Our dental office has dentists approved by ADA. Our goal is to ensure confidence & trust while addressing our patients’ concerns and dental needs. We have easily the best teeth whitening, restorative, cosmetic and family dentistry services in Brooklyn Center, MN. Our team is dedicated to providing excellent & personalized dental care service to make your dental visits as comfortable & pleasant as possible.
