Whether you brush and floss at home or not, it’s important to see a dental professional for regular teeth cleanings.
Your dentist or hygienist will use a small mirror and check your teeth for cavities, plaque, and gum inflammation. They may also do a periodontal screening.
Dental Hygienist
Dentist Robina hygienists work alongside dentists to clean teeth, examine gums and educate patients on oral care techniques. They are also a crucial part of the team helping prevent diseases such as tooth decay, periodontal disease and oral cancers.
In addition to a thorough cleaning, dental hygienists can help patients reduce their risk of cavities by providing recommendations on diet and oral health care. They can also recommend mouthwashes, brushing methods and toothbrushes.
They can also provide information about the use of fluoride varnishes to help prevent decay. They can even offer a special sealant to children that helps protect the biting surfaces of their back teeth, which are more vulnerable to decay.
Dental hygienists are able to pursue a variety of career opportunities, including private practice. They may also work in hospitals, nursing homes, public health clinics and research facilities.
Scaling and Root Planing
Scaling and root planing procedures entail removing hardened plaque, tartar (mineral deposits) and stain from the surfaces of your teeth above and below the gum line. This helps prevent a variety of oral health issues, including gingivitis and periodontitis, and promotes good oral and dental hygiene.
In addition, scaling and root planing can help to alleviate bad breath caused by bacteria living below the gum line. It also makes your gums less likely to pull away from the surface of your tooth roots, encouraging healthy gum tissue to reattach more firmly to them.
Scaling and root planing is usually done over several appointments, with you numbed to ensure painlessness. A small electric device called an ultrasonic scaler vibrates and produces tiny air bubbles to dislodge bacterial cells from pockets where they are hiding.
Fluoride Treatment
Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that helps prevent tooth decay by strengthening teeth and resisting acid attacks. It can also reverse early dental decay.
Most communities add fluoride to their drinking water and many people use toothpaste with fluoride. These methods are an excellent way to protect teeth, but if you’re at risk of developing cavities or have weak enamel, a professional fluoride treatment at the dentist may be needed.
During fluoride treatment, the dentist applies a gel, foam or varnish that is highly concentrated with fluoride. This increases the remineralization process of the tooth’s enamel and can help repair damaged enamel. It can also reduce the likelihood of sensitivity and keep teeth strong, even with orthodontic appliances (braces) in place.
X-Rays
X-rays (radiographs) are common imaging procedures ordered by healthcare providers and dentists to check for health problems, like bone fractures or cavities. They use a small amount of radiation to create an image on a screen within minutes.
Several types of X-rays can be used to examine different parts of your body, including dental X-rays and GI X-rays. You may also have a CT scan, a type of X-ray that creates cross-sectional images of your bones, organs and tissues.
During an X-ray, your provider will ask you to stay still. This is because X-rays require you to remain in one position for a few seconds so that they can take clear pictures.
