Why Scheduling Regular Dental Checkups at Dentique is Important

A regular dental checkup is important because they help keep your teeth and gums healthy. It is recommended that you schedule regular dental visit at Dentique every 6 months.

What happens at your
dental visit?

There are 2 parts to your regular dental visit at Dentique:

1. Checkup & Examination

2. Cleaning or Oral Prophylaxis

Checkup & Examination

During a dental checkup you will be checked for cavities. Low dose 2D and 3D X-rays might be taken to detect cavities between your teeth. Your exam will also include a check for tartar and plaque buildup on your teeth. Plaque, if it is not removed can harden and become tartar. If plaque and tartar build up on your teeth, they can cause oral diseases.

Next, your gums will be checked. This will be done with a special tool to measure the depth of the spaces between your teeth and gums. With healthy gums, the spaces are shallow. When people have gum disease, the spaces may become deeper.

The checkup should also include a careful examination of your tongue, throat, face, head, and neck. This is to look for any signs of trouble - swelling, redness, or possible signs of cancer.

Cleaning or Oral Prophylaxis

Your teeth will also be cleaned at your visit. Brushing and flossing help clean the plaque from your teeth, but you can't remove tartar at home. During the cleaning, your dental professional will use special tools to remove tartar. This is called scaling and root planing. Scaling and root planing is a deep cleaning below the gumline used to prevent and/or treat gum disease.

After your teeth are scaled, they may be polished. In most cases, a gritty paste is used for this. It helps to remove any surface stains on your teeth. The final step is flossing. Your dental professional will use floss to make sure the areas between your teeth are clean.

What you should do between each dental visit.

• Be sure to take care of your teeth and gums between regular dental visits. Plaque is always forming on your teeth, but you can manage it by brushing and flossing regularly. Here are some tips for good oral care at home.

• Brush your teeth at least twice a day. Be sure to use a toothpaste that contains fluoride.
  Floss daily.

• Use a mouthwash to help control plaque bacteria. This will also help to keep your breath fresh.