If you’re diligent about cleaning your teeth, you’re on the right track towards safeguarding your oral health. However, at-home dental hygiene is just one of the ways you can ensure continued oral well-being. An excellent strategy for keeping cavities, gum disease, bad breath, and other dental problems at bay is scheduling regular exams and cleanings in Summerland, BC.
At Summerland Dental Centre, we encourage patients to prioritize preventive dentistry for the whole family. Preventing a dental problem is less invasive and less costly than treating it. Ideally, every individual should undergo dental exams and cleanings every six months. However, some patients who have more significant dental health needs may require more frequent visits.
Components of a Dental Exam
The objective of a dental exam is to catch any dental problems in good time. This way, there’s a better likelihood of resolving these issues with non-invasive, inexpensive, and uncomplicated treatments.
Our dentists in Summerland, BC, check for signs of cavities, gum disease, discoloration, and bite problems during a dental exam. We also check the state of your dental restorations, if any, and recommend repair if this is necessary.
With our dentists’ expertise we perform comprehensive dental exams for our patients. Dental exams are painless and recommended for patients of all ages.
Babies should get their first dental exam within six months after their first tooth erupts or by their first birthday.
What to Expect During Professional Teeth Cleaning
The second phase of your appointment involves teeth cleaning. Professional teeth cleaning, also known as dental prophylaxis, focuses on removing plaque and tartar from the teeth and gums. Plaque and tartar are the primary culprits behind tooth decay and gum disease.
Plaque is a by-product of bacterial activity in the mouth, while tartar is the hardened form of plaque. During teeth cleaning, our dentists near you use a dental scaler or plaque scraper to remove all plaque and tartar deposits. This process is painless and doesn’t require anesthesia. However, patients who struggle with anxiety may receive sedation to help with relaxation.
Some patients undergo fluoride treatment as part of their bi-annual exam and cleaning appointments.
If you’re looking for a reputable and conveniently-located dental office that offers exams and cleanings near you, get in touch with Summerland Dental Centre today.
