Twice a year visits to your dentist are extremely important, they are important to maintaining excellent oral health and they give your dentist an opportunity to see if there is a developing problem.
What happens during these visits?
During your bi-annual visits your teeth will be professionally cleaned by a dental hygienist and your dentist in Lemont will check and examine your teeth and gums.
The cleaning:
Even though you may take excellent care of your teeth; brushing twice a day, flossing and using a medicated mouthwash, there will be a buildup of plaque and tartar that you can’t remove at home. A dental hygienist has special tools that he or she can use to remove tartar. The process is called “scaling.”
Once the teeth have been scaled, they will be polished. The slightly gritty polishing compound that is used helps to eliminate surface stains.
Once your teeth have been cleaned, the hygienist will turn you over to the dentist in Lemont for a checkup.
The checkup:
The dentist will thoroughly examine all your teeth, looking for any evidence of decay. He or she will examine your gums to ensure there is no evidence of periodontal disease such as gingivitis. The dentist will check your neck, throat and tongue, looking for any signs of swelling or oral cancer.
Your job between visits:
Whether you have dental problems or not is very much in your hands. Between visits to the dentist it is up to you to take good care of your teeth and gums. Plaque forms very quickly, it must be removed just as quick otherwise it can turn into tartar which is much harder to eliminate.
- Brush twice a day, use toothpaste that contains fluoride
- Floss daily
- Use a medicated mouthwash after brushing, this will keep your breath fresh and eliminate the bacteria that results in plaque.
With regular visits to your dentist and looking after your teeth at home you are more likely to keep your teeth and gums healthy and free from disease or complications.
