When was the last time you visited our office for a dental exam and a cleaning? We suggest these twice a year for our patients, as routine care helps protect the health, beauty, and function of your smile. In our latest blog, your Fort Bliss, TX, dentist talks about how we safeguard smiles of all ages with a simple checkup and cleaning.
The Dental Exam Process
A dental exam should happen twice a year, allowing our team to regularly check in with the health of your smile and identify areas of concern in the earliest stages, before you develop discomfort or serious oral health issues that threaten smile stability, such as tooth decay and gum disease. To make a diagnosis with precision and accuracy, we will examine the smile with digital x-rays, which use 90% less radiation and provide images in greater detail, which can easily be sent to specialists as needed and don’t require bitewings as part of the process. Our exams watch for a wide range of issues for patients of all ages. We then create a treatment plan to address these concerns before they grow in severity.
Cleaning Your Teeth
In the same visit, our team will also clean your teeth. A dental cleaning involves our team removing all plaque and tartar from the teeth with an ultrasonic scaling device and a manual tool. Plaque and tartar buildup can weaken enamel, to cause cavities, inflamed gums to lead to gingivitis and gum disease, and are also linked to bad breath and teeth stains too. After we remove the buildup, we will polish the teeth for a brighter appearance. The process also makes it more difficult for plaque and tartar to cling to the surfaces of the teeth before your next dental cleaning.
Conducting an Oral Cancer Screening
In the same visit, our team will also conduct an oral cancer screening, in which we use advanced technology to watch for signs of precancerous and cancerous areas. If we find warning signs of trouble, we will refer you for a biopsy. The sooner we diagnose issues like oral cancer, the sooner you can undergo treatment and the more likely you are to recover. If you have any questions about how we treat smiles and keep them healthy with our preventive visits every six months, or to schedule one for you and your family, then contact our team today to learn more.
Speak With Your Fort Bliss, TX Dentist About Checkups and Cleanings
Our team wants to make sure you enjoy good oral health and a beautiful smile with preventive care. If you would like to learn more about our dental exams, then call Fort Bliss Family Dentistry in Fort Bliss, TX at (915)895-3678!
