Maintaining oral health is essential in order to keep your mouth and body healthy. That’s why it’s important to visit your dentist in Bundoora frequently in order to stay up to date with your dental check-ups and cleans. This helps to keep your oral health at an optimal level and ensures no plaque or cavities will develop. It’s recommended that you visit a dentist every 6 to 12 months in order for your oral health to be checked and your teeth to be professionally cleaned. Read on to find out four things that a dental check-up and clean involves when you visit a dentist in Bundoora.

Thorough Examination

Your dentist in Bundoora will perform an examination in order to check your teeth and gums. They’ll check to see if the spaces between your teeth and gums are shallow, as gum disease becomes apparent when these spaces become deeper. The dentist will also check the tongue, throat, face and neck, looking for any signs of swelling or other issues that may indicate trauma or oral cancer. If you’re experiencing any issues or pain in your mouth, it’s best to let your dentist know during this stage of the check-up. They’ll be able to work out what’s wrong sooner rather than later.

Cleaning and Polishing

Dental check-ups allow for your teeth to be cleaned and polished. This removes surface stains on the teeth and leaves them feeling shiny and smooth. The clean is usually performed with a special instrument called a hand scaler or an ultrasonic dental instrument. This provides deep cleaning above and below the gum line in order to prevent a build-up of plaque and bacteria on the teeth. Your teeth will then be polished by your dentist in Bundoora with a rubber cup or brush to remove any remaining plaque or stains.

X Rays

Your dentist in Bundoora may need to take X rays of your teeth in order to look for decay, disease or other dental issues. If you have already had X rays taken in the past, bring them in so your dentist can look for changes that may have occurred. Depending on your oral exam, dental history and any risk for developing cavities, regular dental X rays may be required. An X ray can give your dentist a good view of your jaw alignment, any decay between teeth, any impacted teeth, and abscesses or cysts on the roots of your teeth.

Education

After the examination, cleaning, polishing and X rays, your dentist in Bundoora will discuss any dental hygiene problems that were detected and show you the correct way to floss and brush. This is a great time to ask any questions or bring up any concerns you may have about your dental health. The earlier your dentist knows about these issues, the quicker they can treat them. Your dentist may also ask what medications you’re on, so if you’re taking anything, it’s important to share the details with your dentist.