Protecting the Health of the Teeth with Dental Exams and Cleanings

While many dental services are intended to treat dental problems and restore good oral health, the prevention of dental health problems is ideal. The backbone of dental health care is general dentistry services, which allow patients to preserve the health of the teeth, gums, and jaw bone. One of the most important general dentistry services offered is a dental exam, which also includes a professional dental cleaning. At Feather Touch Dental Care, we stress to our Atlanta patients the importance of dental exams and cleanings in maintaining good oral health, detecting oral health problems early on, scheduling necessary restorative treatment, and preventing advanced oral health complications.

How Often Should I Schedule a Dental Exam?

For the average patient, a good rule of thumb is to schedule a dental exam twice a year. By having the teeth and gums examined and cleaned once every six months, our dentists can keep good track of any developing oral health problems and can also prevent excessive buildup of plaque and tartar. For the majority of patients, these bi-annual exams are sufficient in preventing advanced oral health problems. However, those patients who have a history of tooth decay or gum disease, or those who are especially prone to oral health problems may want to consider more frequent appointments. For patients who are high risk, we recommend that the teeth be examined and cleaned once every three to four months.

What Can I Expect at my Exam?

Patients who have neglected to maintain a regular routine of dental exams and cleanings often have questions regarding what they can expect at a dental exam. These appointments include simple procedures, all of which are performed with the patient’s comfort in mind. If it has been a year or more since the patient’s last set of x-rays, the dental exam will likely begin by taking a complete set of oral x-rays. This allows our dentist to examine the jaw bone, the density and placement of the teeth, and the presence of any tooth decay. In addition to the x-rays, one of our dentists will visually examine the teeth and will measure the depth of any tissue pockets that have developed at the gum line. This is an efficient method in diagnosing the various stages of gum disease. Finally, one of our skilled dental hygienists will clean the surface of the teeth to remove any plaque or tartar that has built up since the patient’s last cleaning.

Benefits of Dental Exams

There is one overwhelming benefit of dental exams and cleanings and that is the fact that those patients who maintain a regular schedule of dental exams have better oral health than those who do not. Dental exams and cleanings allow for the detection and early treatment of dental problems that have the potential to cause more serious oral health complications. By scheduling a dental exam and cleaning at least twice a year, patients can help to preserve the health, function, strength, and beauty of the teeth.

Schedule an Appointment

If you are interested in creating or maintaining a smile that is healthy and beautiful, a dental exam and cleaning should be the first step. Trust the dentists at Feather Touch Dental Care to provide expert dental care with a comforting and caring touch. Schedule an appointment at your earliest convenience to learn more about our general dentistry services. We look forward to hearing from you!