Routine Exams & Cleanings
What happens during a typical dental check up?
When visiting Mountain Ridge Dental for a standard dental checkup, you can expect that a member of our team will capture digital X-rays (if needed) before conducting a thorough examination of your teeth, gums, and bite.
Charting your gum tissues can help to ensure that gum disease is not present, and checking each tooth for signs of decay or cavities will allow us to create a treatment plan that targets the problem in its early stages.
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During this part of your visit, we’ll also complete an oral cancer screening that checks your oral tissues and facial structures for any abnormalities or discolored patches that might indicate a problem.
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If we discover there are one or more areas of concern, we will craft a treatment plan, which we will go over with you before you leave.
Dental hygienists usually do all of the cleanings at any dental office. Normally, whenever you call to set up a dental cleaning, you will also be scheduled for a dental exam.
A typical dental cleaning involves three steps: The first two steps involve removing tartar and plaque, and during the final step, your teeth are polished.
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The removal of tartar or calculus can only be done with special tools, and this is one of the reasons regular dental cleanings are important. Plaque that gets left on the teeth becomes hard and turns into calculus. When the calculus becomes firmly attached to the teeth, it needs to be removed by a dental hygienist.
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The removal of plaque is necessary to help avoid periodontal (gum) disease. Plaque is a sticky film that can form on the teeth. This sticky stuff then allows bacteria, food, and saliva to build up, which can then cause the gums to get inflamed and infected. All of this can lead to periodontal disease.
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Once all of the removal of tartar and plaque buildup is completed, the last step is the most noticeable to you. The teeth are polished. Polishing leaves them shiny but also removes stains and any plaque that might have been missed earlier.
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Call Mountain Ridge Dental today to set up an appointment for your dental exam and dental cleaning. Both are important in maintaining great oral health.