Importance of Regular Checkups

Normally, there are two parts to a regular dental visit: a checkup and a thorough cleaning of the teeth. Both components are essential to maintaining the health and beauty of your smile. Dental visits are recommended every six months, and are important because they aid in keeping your teeth and gums healthy and clean.

What to expect from a dental exam?

During the checkup, your dentist will examine your teeth for cavities and to determine whether there is tartar or plaque on the surface of your teeth. Sticky and clear, plaque is a layer of bacteria on teeth that hardens, turning into tartar, if it’s not removed. Brushing and flossing alone will not remove tartar, so your dental exam and cleaning is important. If plaque and tartar are allowed to accumulate on your teeth it can cause oral decay and gum disease.

The dentist also checks your gums for signs of disease by measuring the gap between the teeth and gums (also called pockets) with a special tool. Healthy gums have shallow pockets between the teeth and gums; as gumdisease develops, these spaces deepen.

Hygienist’s cleaning

The second part of the dental visit is the cleaning. Daily brushing and flossing goes a long way toward removing the plaque from your teeth, but any tartar that accumulates must be removed by a dental professional.  This process is referred to as scaling. After scaling is complete, your teeth are polished using special gritty toothpaste formulated to remove topical stains. Finally, the dental hygienist flosses your teeth. Regular dental cleanings are a key component to oral health. In addition to the cleaning itself, you’ll also benefit from advice and guidance to maintaining your dental health at home.

The Orchid Dental experience

When you come for your regular visit at Orchid Dental, our experienced staff will make sure you receive the high-quality care you deserve. Not only will we help with the preventative aspect of dental health, but we’ll work with you to create a treatment plan to tackle any dental problems you may have.

The first step to a healthy and amazing smile is in your hands! Give us a call today at our Bala Cynwyd office to set up your next dental checkup.