Every six months, we want to see our patients for a routine visit. These checkups and cleanings may seem minor, but they’re key to enjoying good oral health. In today’s blog, your Ankeny, IA, dentist talks about what to expect from these visits, and why you need them twice a year to enjoy your best possible smile.
Why We Need Exams and Cleanings
Serious oral health issues, such as tooth decay or gum disease, take several months to develop. Which means seeing us twice a year is a chance to catch the problems early, often before you experience uncomfortable symptoms like toothaches or sore, bleeding gums. With the cleaning, we can help fight bad breath, stained teeth, cavities, and even periodontal concerns. These twice-yearly visits help people of all ages, from children to adults. In fact, for kids these visits also include the application of preventive treatments like a topical fluoride gel or even dental sealants, to help them avoid the onset of cavities.
Dental Checkups
The dental checkup involves our team taking a close look at your smile with digital x-rays and intraoral camera images, so we can identify areas of concern with precision and accuracy. Our team could look for cavities, infections, gingivitis, and gum disease, as well as TMJ disorder and bruxism (teeth grinding). We also screen for oral cancer for our adult patients, and for kids make sure teeth are erupting and falling out as they should.
Dental Cleanings
What about the cleaning? With the dental cleaning, in the same visit we will use an ultrasonic scaling device and a manual tool to break up and remove all plaque and tartar from the surfaces of the teeth. Removing this bacterial byproduct helps lower the risk of teeth stains and bad breath, and prevents the onset of periodontal issues and even cavities too. If you already have high risk factors and symptoms of gingivitis and gum disease, we could suggest a deep cleaning that removes buildup from the roots as well.
If you have any questions about our preventive visits, or if you would like to schedule one soon, then contact our team today to learn more. We look forward to a chance to help you start a new year with a stronger and healthier smile.
Talk To Your Ankeny, IA Dentist About Preventive Dentistry
Our team wants to help you maintain good oral health with regular visits for exams and dental cleanings. If you would like to find out more about our approach to preventive dental care, please contact Dental Impressions at (515) 207-6182 to schedule a visit. Working together, we can help you and your family enjoy optimal oral health and stunning smiles for years to come.
