We all want to show off healthy, attractive smiles as we age. But how do we achieve this goal?
Well, research continues to show that one of the absolute best things that you can do is to diligently follow your dentist-recommended schedule of professional cleanings. This short article is all about what our Santa Monica dental team does during these appointments. We hope that this helps you get a better idea of why professional care is so important!
Once you are in the dentist’s chair, our dental team will complete a number of assessments to get an idea of your current oral health status. We are looking for…
- Dental cavities—these may be visible spots, or they may simply be portions of the enamel that are soft and de-mineralized
- Signs of periodontal disease (gum tissue infection)
- Cancerous or pre-cancerous tissues
- Old, structurally unsound restorations
Once we’ve checked your teeth and gums, we’ll know whether any further restorative treatment is necessary to bring your smile back to health.
The next thing that we do at your semi-annual appointment is to clean your smile of plaque and tartar. As you probably already know, plaque is the sticky bacterial film that develops in your mouth throughout the day. Tartar is what we call plaque that has hardened and calcified to the tooth structure; this requires professional treatment to remove.
Finally, we polish your smile, and talk to you about your current oral hygiene routine. We’ll make recommendations to help you get the most out of your daily dental routine. We can help you pick the right kind of toothpaste, mouth rinse, and even toothbrush for your unique needs.
If you want to learn more professional dental care, or schedule your own personal consultation, you can always call our Santa Monica dentists for assistance! You can also reach out through the Contact Us page on our website.