The regular oral hygiene cleanings and routine oral examinations we offer at Midland Family Dentistry can help you keep your smile healthy and help prevent any dental health conditions.
Oral Examinations
You should have a regular oral exam, ideally, two times a year, to give your dentist the opportunity to find any oral health problems and develop a treatment plan to address them accordingly.
At your exam, your dentist will closely evaluate the health of your teeth, gums, jaw, and bite. Exams could also include oral cancer screenings, dental X-rays, as well as other diagnostic procedures.
Oral Cancer Screening
Oral cancer can affect any part of your mouth and the surrounding tissues. Throughout your exam, your dentist will check your lips, tongue, face, neck, throat, tissues, and gums for any signs of oral cancer that can be hard to spot with the naked eye.
Oral Health Care at Home
To maintain your healthy smile between dental appointments, you need to brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes every time, and floss at least one time a day.
Hygiene Cleaning
Before or after your exam, your dental hygienist will conduct a deep cleaning of your teeth and gums in order to prevent and help treat disease.
They will start by using a scaler to remove any plaque and tartar build-up. Then, they will use a polisher and coarse toothpaste to get rid of any leftover stains or plaque, followed by an in-depth flossing of your gums and teeth.
Fluoride Treatment
If you or your child are at a high risk of tooth decay, your dentist might also suggest a fluoride treatment. Fluoride is a natural mineral that is used to help rebuild the minerals in your tooth enamel to reverse or prevent tooth decay.