General dentistry involves treatments and procedures designed to protect your oral health and limit the risk of serious issues like tooth decay and gum disease. With that in mind, we want to recommend a checkup every six months. In today’s blog, your Ankeny, IA, dentist talks about our general dental exams!
General Dental Exams
You should have an exam every six months. This is applicable to every member of your family, as everyone over the age of two needs these routine visits. The issues that could threaten your oral health and smile stability, such as tooth decay and periodontal disease, don’t form overnight. A visit every few months is a chance to catch them in the early stages, so we can take action, often before you experience discomfort. Our team will conduct the exam using detailed digital imaging, such as digital x-rays and intraoral cameras, which allow us to make a diagnosis with precision and accuracy. In the same sitting, for adults we could screen for oral cancer. We also look for cavities, infection, gingivitis, and gum disease, as well as TMJ disorder and bruxism (teeth grinding).
Cleaning Your Teeth
We also take a preventive step to help safeguard your smile against bad breath, teeth stains, and even cavities and gum disease. Our team will conduct a dental cleaning to gently and thoroughly remove all plaque and tartar from the teeth, using an ultrasonic scaling device and a manual tool. The process takes only a shri time and helps lower the risk of serious oral health concerns. We then polish the teeth to not only brighten them, but to help limit the ability for plaque and tartar accumulation to happen before your next visit.
How to Protect Smiles from Home
In between your general dental exam visits, you can take steps to help protect your teeth and gums. You should cut back on the amount of sugar and starch in your diet. Avoid tobacco products too! Be sure you start and end your day by brushing for two minutes with a soft-bristled toothbrush and a fluoride toothpaste. You also need to floss every evening to remove what a toothbrush alone cannot. These actions help limit the severity of plaque and tartar, lowering the risk of serious oral health problems.
If you have any questions about our general dental exams and cleanings, or if you would like to schedule one for you or a member of your family, then contact our team today to learn more.
Dental Impressions Talks About Our Dental Checkups
General dentistry can help kids and adults alike enjoy better oral health. To schedule your appointment for your next dental exam, then call Dental Impressions in Ankeny, IA today at (515) 965-0230.
