Dental Articles - Ajax

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Dental exams are essential since they play a significant role in preventive health care. These exams are done regularly and include a dental checkup and cleaning. At Rossland Landing Dental Care, it is recommended that patients get a dental checkup and cleaning twice every year. However, some patients may need more visits if the dentist wants to monitor their oral health closely.

During a dental exam, your teeth, gums, face, mouth and neck will be examined for oral problems and other diseases that can be detected early. A dental cleaning includes thoroughly cleaning the teeth, gums and tongue.

This exam is not only for people who have their natural teeth but for patients who have had dental restorations too. Therefore, they need to maintain good oral health and ensure that the restorations are functioning as expected.

The Dental Checkup Procedure

Before a dental exam, if you visit a new dentist, they will review your dental and medical history with you and ask about any medications you might be taking. This information helps the dentist in diagnosis and may provide you with different treatment options that are more helpful.

The dental professional also checks your mouth’s overall health and hygiene. Your mouth will be evaluated for risk of gum disease, tooth decay, and root decay. The need for tooth restorations will be evaluated, and the existing one’s need for replacement noted.

Prosthetic replacements like dentures are examined to find out whether they fit perfectly or require to be adjusted. Any gum discoloration or swelling will be noted as this signals a periodontal disease. The dentist also makes a thorough check for plaque and tartar. Finally, a gum-depth test to check the spaces between your gums and teeth is done.

A dental checkup includes the following:

• Dental X-Ray

A dental x-ray enables the dentist to see images of specific areas of our mouth in detail to help diagnose problems that are not visible. For example, the dentist uses x-rays to check for softening of your tooth enamel, exposed dentine or cavities. The x-rays also check the underlying jawbone for signs of TMJ or other problems like bone loss.

• Oral Cancer Exam

A general checkup of your tongue, throat, neck and face follows to rule out any issues like disease and inflammation. Abnormal lumps and swellings or oral tissue discoloration may be early signs of oral cancer. The dentist will recommend a follow-up treatment like a biopsy to determine if the cancer is present or not.

• Dental Impressions

If the dentist suspects your teeth to be misaligned, a dental impression of your jaws will be made to produce a replica of your teeth and gums to evaluate your bite mark. This impression can also be used to make mouth guards or bleaching mouth trays.

The dentist discusses the findings on your oral health and explains the preventive measures to be taken. If further tests like a biopsy are needed, the dentist will guide you on how to proceed. A deep dental cleaning will follow.

The Dental Cleaning Procedure

These are some of the steps taken during deep dental cleanings in Ajax, ON, after a thorough dental checkup:

• Removing Plaque and Tartar

The dental hygienist uses a scaler to scrape off the plaque and tartar around your gum line and between the teeth with the help of a hand mirror.

• Gritty Toothpaste Cleaning

A high-powered electric brush is used to brush the patient’s teeth during this process. Any tartar left behind in the first step is eradicated. Next, the dental hygienist will use special toothpaste with a gritty consistency to gently brush your teeth.

• Expert Flossing

Flossing done by the dental hygienist is thorough and removes plaque or toothpaste leftovers. The expert flosses deep between your teeth and may locate bleeding or other issues at the gums.

• Rinsing

You will rinse out your mouth using some liquid fluoride to get rid of debris.

• Applying Fluoride Treatment

Lastly, a fluoride treatment is administered to protect your teeth and help them fight against cavities before your next appointment. The fluoride gel or foam is put on a mouthpiece then inserted over your teeth for a minute.

The dentist will then schedule your next appointment.

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