We urge patients of all ages to see our team at least twice a year for a checkup and cleaning. These may seem like minor visits, but they’re essential for keeping your smile healthy and whole. In today’s blog, your Katy, TX, dentist talks about our routine dental exams and professional dental cleanings.
When to See Our Practice
You should see your dentist for a checkup and dental cleaning at least once every six months for a checkup and cleaning. Often, the issues that could cause serious damage to our smiles, such as tooth decay and gum disease, take several months to form. So checking in twice a year is a chance for us to identify and treat these concerns in the earliest stages, often before you begin to experience painful symptoms, such as toothaches or sore, bleeding gums. We urge this for adults, but also kids two and older, as at each stage of life our smiles are vulnerable to different risks.
The Checkup Process
The dental exam involves our team taking a close visual look at your smile. Instead of relying solely on the naked eye, we also employ digital x-rays and intraorally cameras. These technologies use a fraction of the radiation and provide detailed images chairside insist, all without bitewings or development in harsh chemicals. Our team then conducts a diagnosis with precision and accuracy, so we identify areas of concern and create a treatment plan to address them. For example, our team could treat tooth decay, dental infection, gingivitis, and gum disease. We also watch for TMJ disorder and bruxism, screen for oral cancer, and assess a child’s risk for misalignment.
Cleaning Your Teeth
In the same visit, our team will also clean the teeth thoroughly. A dental cleaning involves thoroughly removing all plaque and tartar from the teeth with an ultrasonic scaling device and a manual pick. We then polish the teeth for a brighter appearance. The procedure can help lower the risk of tooth decay, gingivitis, and gum disease, and also fights bad breath and teeth stains. To help control plaque at home, you and your family need to brush twice a day and floss every evening.
If you have any questions about how our team cares for your smile, or if you’re ready to schedule your next six month visit for you or a member of your family, then contact our team today.
Your Katy, TX, Dentist Provides Preventive Dentistry
We would like to help you avoid issues like tooth decay and periodontal disease with a routine exam visit every six months. Call Lathrop Dental Center in Katy, TX at 832-437-3849 for more information on our approach to general and preventive dentistry, or to schedule your appointment.
