Do you typically schedule your dental cleanings and checkups like clockwork? Or, are you the type of patient who suddenly remembers it has been a couple of years since your last preventive appointment? In either case, we often find that patients tend to come to us with a variety of common questions about their preventive care. To learn more about what to expect from your visit and what makes scheduling care consistently so important, we invite you to take a glance through a helpful question and answer session.
Questions and Answers: Cleanings and Checkups
Question: Why are dental cleanings so important? Can’t I just care for my teeth at home?
Answer: Preventive care is a complex matter that is actually quite simple to accomplish if you are familiar with the essential factors. First, your home care is essential – this includes your daily dental hygiene (brushing and flossing). Second, you need to visit us for cleanings because even with perfect home care, you cannot thoroughly remove plaque (which causes tooth decay and gum disease) on your own.
Question: Why are checkups so important in addition to dental cleanings? Can’t I just contact you if something is wrong?
Answer: Checkups allow us to detect issues with your oral health the minute they begin to occur. In many instances, you may not recognize changes until damage has already begun to take place. The more quickly we administer treatment, the greater our ability to successfully prevent damage and fully protect your smile and surrounding structures.
Question: Can you help me if you discover that I am suffering from periodontal problems?
Answer: If we find during your checkup that you are suffering from gingivitis or a more advanced form of gum disease, we can help. Rather than offering routine dental cleanings, which are appropriate for healthy gums, we will suggest ultrasonic scaling. This is a more extensive cleaning process that will remove the bacteria-laden plaque and tartar accumulation responsible for your inflamed gums.