Do exams and cleanings prevent cavities?

Even patients who are meticulous with their at-home oral care routine still need to make dental appointments for regular dental exams and cleanings. Patients with regular dental checkups have a reduced risk of being diagnosed with cavities and tooth decay. This is because dental checkups prevent the development and formation of cavities as the plaque and tartar buildup are removed during this procedure. An additional benefit of dental cleanings is that it smoothens out the tooth surface, which is less likely to attract harmful bacteria that cause cavities.

What Happens During Dental Exam and Cleaning

During your dental exam, the dentist will carefully scrutinize your gums and teeth for any signs of gum disease, tooth decay and other dental abnormalities. The dentist may also take X-rays to check what’s happening beneath the surface of your gums and teeth. X-rays and other dental imaging will help the dentist see what isn’t visible to the naked eye.

During the professional cleaning, the dentist will carefully clean your teeth with specific dental tools to remove plaque and tartar buildup. Next, your teeth will go through a deep flossing session that will be able to locate those troubling spots between your teeth. Professional flossing removes excess plaque or toothpaste from earlier cleaning processes. Your mouth will then be rinsed to remove any debris. Usually, the dentist will give you a rinsing liquid that contains fluoride.

The last step of the cleaning process is a fluoride treatment that acts as a safeguard on your teeth to fight off cavities. A foamy or sticky gel will be placed into a mouthpiece fitted into your mouth. The paste or gel is then left for a few minutes. The foamy gel or paste may also be painted with a small brush on the teeth. The varnish is hardened when it comes in contact with the saliva.

Benefits of Dental Exams and Cleanings

Dental exams and cleanings allow patients to create a rapport with their dentist and get their dental issues addressed in time. During a dental exam, the dentist near you will be able to inspect your mouth for any abnormalities or developing dental infections and be able to design customized preventive dental care to improve your oral health.

Prevents Cavities

Cavities can cause severe pain and discomfort in your teeth. If not treated, cavities can become larger and affect other parts of your mouth. While there are different ways, such as daily oral hygiene, which can keep cavities at bay, at Restorative Arts Dental, we recommend dental exams and cleanings near you every six months. Other than the professional deep cleaning, which involves brushing your teeth using an ultrasonic brush and abrasive toothpaste that will clean your teeth more than normal. The dentist may give you a fluoride treatment to protect your teeth from decay and prevent cavities.

Screens Oral Cancer

Around 50 thousand adults are diagnosed with oral cancer yearly, according to the American Cancer Society. While rare, oral cancer can be serious and difficult to treat. That’s why it’s imperative to find it early as possible. Oral cancer screening is done during your routine dental checkups.

Encourages Good Oral Hygiene

When you have an understanding of the importance of proper oral hygiene, it gives you more reasons why you should practice it. And brushing your teeth incorrectly is better than brushing or flossing at all; however, according to our dentist in Sumter, SC, there is always room for improvement. During your dental cleaning routine, your dentist will gladly give you pointers on flossing and brushing your teeth more thoroughly. They will also recommend which products to use and what habits to break.

It keeps Off Bad Breath.

Do you have bad breath that can’t go away even after brushing and flossing three times a day? A professional dental cleaning can help you with getting rid of it. During a professional cleaning, the dentist will go over your teeth with special dental tools to get into those nooks and crannies where the food particles may have stuck. Once all plaque and tartar have been scrapped away, your mouth will smell fresh.

Detects and Treats Gum Disease

Periodontal disease, or gum disease, is a serious dental issue and can lead to tooth loss. Bacteria and plaque buildup around the teeth and gums cause the infection. Gum disease is reversible if identified early. During the early stage, it’s known as gingivitis. Signs of gingivitis include swollen, tender, bleeding gums when you brush or floss. Regular dental exams and cleanings can prevent gingivitis.