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Check up & Cleans

How often should I go to the dentist?
The standard recommendation is to visit your dentist twice a year for check ups and cleanings.

Why are twice a year appointments necessary?

  • So that your dentist can check for problems that you might not see or feel.

  • To allow your dentist to find early signs of decay.

          (decay doesn't become visible or cause pain until it reaches more advanced stages.)

  • To treat any other oral health problems found.

           (generally, the earlier a problem is found, the more manageable it is.)

What happens at the typical check up appointment?
The typical dental check up visit usually includes the following oral health care activities:

Professionals who will treat you.
You will be treated by one of our dentists who will conduct an oral exam of your gums and teeth, ask about changes in your overall health or medicine use, clean your teeth, look  for signs of oral cancer and other diseases, diagnose any oral health problems and make treatment recommendations.

Cleaning.
Although home-based tooth brushing and flossing help remove plaque, only a professional cleaning  provided by your dentist  can thoroughly clean your teeth and remove the hardened plaque (called calculus or tartar) that builds up on teeth. Dentists will use an ultrasonic scaler, which provide deep cleaning above and below the gum line.

Polishing.
After your teeth have been cleaned, they are polished to remove plaque and stains on the tooth surface. The polish contains an abrasive substance and is applied using a small rotating rubber cup or brush attached to the dental hand piece, fluoride will then be applied.

Prevention.
Your Dentist might offer additional instructions for you to follow at home, based on the results of your exam. Don’t hesitate to ask your dentist for instructions about brushing or flossing, or general care questions about your teeth and gums.

X-rays.
X-rays are generally recommended every 2 years to detect if there is any decay between the teeth or to further examine a specific tooth at any time. 

Treatment recommendations.
If any oral health problems are found during your examination, your dentist will make recommendations for the best next steps. These might include referral to another oral health care specialist, additional diagnostic tests, or advice to return for further work, a quote can be made for your further treatment. 

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