Check-ups & Cleanings
Regular check-ups are key to your dental health. Next to brushing and flossing visiting the dental office is the best thing you can do to maintain your oral health.
Check-ups are not just to check for cavities, and they are not just for kids.
Check-ups are designed to: Prevent dental problems before they start and ensure that existing problems you have do not worsen.
Everyone needs to have dental check-ups. Even if you brush and floss every day, you cannot see all the parts of your own mouth. The dentist will check for:
- Deterioration of fillings, crowns and other dental work
- Tooth cavities, root cavities (cavities that form when the gums recede) and cavities around existing fillings
- Tiny fractures in a tooth
- Impacted wisdom teeth
- Early signs of gum disease
- Early signs of oral cancer
How often you go for a check-up depends on your oral health needs. For many people, this means a check-up every six months. Your dentist may suggest that you visit more or less often depending on your oral health and how well you care for your teeth and gums at home.
What does a Check-Up entail?
A check-up will usually include the following:
Dental and medical history update
Let your dentist know about any new health problems or changes.
The dentist will review with you:
- Any changes in your mouth including the position of your teeth, colour changes to your teeth, gums, lips or tongue and any changes to the skin on the inside of your mouth
- Any changes to your gums including colour, tenderness or bleeding when you brush or floss
- If your teeth or gums are more sensitive to heat, cold or sweets
- Any rough edges of teeth
- If you clench or grind your teeth, or if your neck and jaw muscles are tense
- Your general health.
Examination and Treatment
Your dentist looks for problems that could affect your general and oral health. Many small problems can be caught and treated right away.
Cleaning
A cleaning makes your teeth and fillings smooth, so it’s harder for plaque to build up on your teeth. Plaque is a clear and sticky biofilm that builds on your teeth every day. If plaque is left on your teeth, it hardens into tartar. A professional cleaning is the only way to remove tartar. It cannot be removed with your toothbrush. If left unchecked tartar can cause gum disease. Cleaning also removes stains, so that your teeth look whiter.
Education
We at Dentistry on Sinclair strive to keep our patients informed and educate them on how best to care for their oral health at home. Don’t hesitate to ask questions and seek advice from your dentist, dental hygienist or any of our staff.
