Oral Examinations
Ideally twice a year, you'll come in for a regular oral exam to allow your dentist the opportunity to identify any oral health issues and develop a plan to treat them as required.
Your dentist will assess the health of your teeth, gums, bite and jaw during the exam. These assessments can also include dental X-rays, an oral cancer screening and other diagnostic procedures.
Oral Cancer Screening
Any part of the mouth or surrounding tissues can be affected by oral cancer. During your screening, the dentist will check your face, lips, tongue, neck, throat, gums and tissues for any symptoms of oral cancer, which can be challenging to detect with the naked eye.
Oral Health Care at Home
Make sure to brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes each time to keep your smile healthy between dental appointments. Floss at least once per day.
Hygiene Cleaning
Your dental hygienist will deep clean your teeth and gums before or after your dental exam. This will help prevent and treat disease.
To start, a scaler will be used to remove any plaque buildup or tartar. Next, the hygienist will use a polisher and coarse toothpaste to eliminate any remaining stains or plaque. Finally, to complete the deep cleaning a thorough flossing of your teeth and gums will be done.
Fluoride Treatment
Do you or your child have a high risk of tooth decay? Your dentist might also recommend a fluoride treatment. This natural mineral can help rebuild minerals in your tooth enamel to prevent or reverse tooth decay.
