Importance of a Dental check up

The Team from Lake Panorama Dental

There are 2 parts to a regular dental visit – check up, or examination and the cleaning, or oral prophylaxis.
At a dental check up your dental professional will check for cavities. X-rays might be taken to detect cavities between your teeth. The exam will also include a check for plaque and tartar on your teeth. Plaque is a clear, sticky layer of bacteria. If it is not removed, it can harden and become tartar. You cannot remove tartar with brushing and flossing. If plaque and tartar build up on your teeth, they can cause oral diseases.
Your gums will also be checked. This will be done with a special tool to measure the depth of the spaces between your teeth and gums. With healthy gums, the spaces are shallow. When people have gum disease, the spaces may become deeper.
Your teeth will also be cleaned at your visit. Brushing and flossing help clean the plaque from your teeth, but you can't remove tartar at home. During the cleaning, your dental professional will use special tools to remove tartar. This is called scaling

What you should do between each dental visit
Be sure to take care of your teeth and gums between regular dental visits. Plaque is always forming on your teeth, but you can manage it by brushing and flossing regularly. Here are some tips for good oral care at home.

Brush your teeth at least twice a day. Be sure to use a toothpaste that contains fluoride.

Floss daily.

Quick facts about a regular dental check up
Regular dental visits are important because they help to keep your teeth and gums healthy.

There are two parts to a regular dental visit:
- The check up
- The cleaning
During the dental check up, your dental professional will check your overall oral health for any trouble areas.
During the cleaning, your dental professional will remove any plaque and tartar buildup and may polish your teeth.

You should have a regular dental visit at least twice a year or as recommended by your dental professional.