Here Is The Professional Cleaning Process as Explained By Our O’Fallon Dentists
The semi-annual professional dental cleaning is a cornerstone of a healthy oral hygiene plan. These appointments allow our team to do a number of important things that will help you maintain optimal oral health moving forward. Keep reading to learn more from our O’Fallon dentists.
No matter how well you brush and floss your teeth at home (and we know that you’re putting the time in!), some plaque will inevitably build up on your smile as time goes on. As bits of plaque sit undisturbed on the teeth, it actually hardens and calcifies into a substance called tartar. The bacteria present in plaque and tartar create cavities and gum disease, essentially wreaking havoc on your oral health.
During your six-month appointment, our team will clear away any accumulated plaque and tartar in your mouth. Tartar, for the most part, is so rigid and hard that it can only be removed using professional tools. The goal is give your smile as much of a clean slate as possible; then, you’ll do your best to maintain it until your next appointment.
At this point, our dentist will also complete a series of oral health screenings. It can be difficult for patients to recognize changes to their own smiles, as many dental problems develop asymptomatically and incrementally. That is why professional assessments are important; we’re looking for:
- Signs of cavity development and weakened enamel
- Symptoms of gum disease
- Indicators of oral cancers and pre-cancerous tissues
Once we have a comprehensive view of your current oral health status, we’ll be able make some recommendations regarding further professional treatment, as well as at-home dental hygiene steps you can take. Because every smile is unique, this kind of assessment is crucial to building personalized dental plans.
Even if it has been years since you’ve been in to see a dentist, our O’Fallon dentists are here to help you get your oral health back on track. A professional dental cleaning is the first step in any dentistry treatment plan, so give us a call to get started!