At Family Dentistry of Braintree, we hope that you’re taking care of your oral health on a daily basis, including brushing and flossing your teeth at least two times per day. As we discussed in our post, Healthy Habits: The Importance of Good Oral Health for Your Overall Health, oral health may also be linked to your overall health. A key part of maintaining good oral health is regular visits to your dentist for teeth cleanings and oral exams. Let’s look at what you can expect during your next visit to your dentist.
Teeth cleaning (also known as prophylaxis, a treatment which prevents a disease) is a procedure for the removal of tartar (mineralized plaque), which may build up on tooth surfaces, despite careful brushing and flossing, and especially in areas that are difficult to reach in routine tooth brushing. It is often done by a dental hygienist. Professional cleaning includes tooth debridement and tooth polishing, and scaling if too much tartar has accumulated. This involves the use of various instruments or devices to loosen and remove deposits from the teeth.
Most dentists and dental hygienists recommend having teeth professionally cleaned every six months. More frequent cleaning and examination may be necessary during treatment of dental and other oral disorders.
Routine examination of the teeth is recommended at least once every year. This may in some cases also include dental X-rays. Regular visits can help your dentist and dental hygienist to detect any early signs of problems with your teeth or gums, such as cavities, broken fillings, or gum disease, which are easily treatable. However, if these problems go untreated, root canals, gum surgery, and/or teeth removal could become the only treatment options available. When you have your dental cleaning, your dentist is also screening you for oral cancer, which is highly curable if diagnosed early. Good oral hygiene and regular visits to your dentist can help you to prevent cavities, tartar build-up, gum disease, and potentially other more serious issues.
Family Dentistry of Braintree is a tradition for personal dental care for over 60 years. Richard and Philip Struzziero are second generation family dentists serving the South Shore area from their convenient location on Washington Street in Braintree, Massachusetts.