Maintaining a good oral care routine at home is key to preventing dental problems. However, a lot of people are unaware of the fact that even if they religiously follow the recommended protocol, they can still have cavities. Dental professionals recommend brushing at least twice a day and flossing once a day. This practice reduces plaque buildup significantly but doesn’t prevent it completely. Eventually, the plaque you’re not able to reach is going to harden and become tartar. The formation of tartar makes your teeth harder to clean, which makes bacteria thrive and puts you at risk of suffering from tooth decay. The only way to tackle these tartar formations is through professional cleaning.
This is why you need to regularly visit your dentist in Toronto. Because no matter how great you are at taking care of your teeth, you will need their help to keep your smile healthy.
How often should I visit?
You must make a trip to a dental clinic near you at least once a year. At this visit, the dentist can check if you’re teeth are healthy and deliver a professional cleaning. However, the recommended frequency is to receive a professional cleaning every six months. This recommendation also can vary depending on your specific case. Patients that have a history of gum disease or periodontitis might have to visit a lot more frequently. The same applies if you have a chronic illness such as a heart condition or diabetes due to its proven link to dental problems and complications.
What happens during a dental cleaning?
The exam
Once you arrive for your appointment to receive your teeth cleaning in Toronto, your dentist will perform a thorough oral exam with a dental mirror. This physical evaluation will determine the condition your teeth are in. The dental mirror they use is a special tool that helps them easily visualize the back of the mouth and other parts of the teeth that aren’t easy to access normally. By performing this evaluation, they can find out if there are any problems to be addressed.
X-rays
After the exam is done, they usually order you some X-rays. These images help your dental professional observe things that cannot be seen with the naked eye. By studying X-rays, your dentist can spot any problems that could exist below the surface of your gums such as impacted teeth, cavities, and tooth decay. Depending on your case, an X-ray might not be necessary every time you visit your dentist in Toronto. Although we can’t deny they’re a helpful tool to diagnose dental conditions, especially those that are underneath the surface of your teeth.
The Dental Cleaning
Finally comes time for the cleaning. Your dentist will use special tools to access the space between the gum line and the teeth and remove plaque and tartar. The plaque and tartar need to be scraped with a special tool called a scaler. Once tartar is formed, this is the only way to remove plaque buildup. After this step, your dental professional will utilize a high potency toothbrush combined with gritty toothpaste to scrub the surface of your teeth. This scrubbing will not only clean the teeth and remove stains but also will remove the tartar and debris remaining. Some dentists follow this step with flossing if they need to remove any residue. If there’s no need for flossing, then they can go ahead to the last step, which is rinsing.
Something to remember
Lastly, remember that being on top of your oral hygiene will make you have a smoother experience at the dentist. So, what are you waiting for? Seek teeth cleaning near you regularly, and enjoy a healthy smile for life. Schedule an appointment today.