Just as you need to look after the rest of your body to look good, so you need to care for your teeth and gums. When your visit your dentist for dental cleaning and prevention treatment, he will examine your teeth fully and usually take a full set of x-rays at the same time; these will allow him to see what is going on inside your gums and jaw bone.
Once completed, he will evaluate the findings and put together a plan of action. This will involve you visiting the practice for regular check-ups. The treatment may include such things as:
- Cleaning and polishing your teeth
- Checking your gums
- Screening for oral cancer
- Taking X-rays
- Examining existing dental work
- What Are the Benefits of Dental Cleaning and Prevention?
Cleaning and polishing – this will remove tartar from your teeth as well as plaque, which is formed from bacteria. If left in place, inflammation will eventually occur. He will then polish your teeth to make them look good, removing stains at the same time.
Evaluating your gums – your gums and the bone underneath your teeth will be carefully checked to ensure that there are no problems or any disease developing.
Screening for oral cancer – your dentist will check for signs on your mouth, tongue, throat, gums and even the neck.
X-rays – these will allow the dentist to check inside your jaw bone and teeth for such things as bone loss, problems with development, teeth in the wrong position, tumours, abscesses and any other hidden problems.
Existing dental work – he will check all fillings, crowns, bridges, implants etc. for any damage or signs of wear and tear.
Who should consider dental cleaning and prevention?
Everyone should consider having dental cleaning and preventative work on a regular basis. Good dental hygiene and detection of any problems early on can help you avoid more serious issues later, such as gum disease or tooth decay. This does not mean that you should not continue to take care of your teeth at home. As well as cleaning your teeth carefully you should always watch out for any signs of inflammation of the gums, damage to the teeth or possible oral disease.
