|
Your regularly scheduled check-up is often
referred to as a "cleaning", but there is much
more to it than that! The technical term is oral prophylaxis,
which means prevention of oral disease.
|
|
|
|
One way to prevent oral disease is to
remove harmful plaque and tartar (calculus) both above
and below the gum line. You may also be given special
instructions on brushing or flossing to keep clean the
areas where we found significant buildup. That is the
familiar "cleaning" part of your checkup.
|
|
It's easy to tell which tooth has been
"cleaned" in this photo!
|
|
Another way to prevent oral disease is by early
detection and treatment. During your checkup you will be screened
for many potential threats to your oral health, including:
In addition, some systemic diseases, such as diabetes, often
present themselves first inside the mouth, so early detection
extends beyond just oral disease.
Your Dental Hygienist is your first-line of defense against oral
disease. Your hygienist is a highly trained professional who can
evaluate your teeth and gums, both visually and with the assistance
of x-rays and other modern technology, to discover threats to
your oral or general health. Your dentist will review the findings
of your hygienist and advise you on any threats to your oral or
general health.
|
