Cleanings

Taking care of your mouth is essential for keeping your teeth and gums healthy. A major component of your oral healthcare routine is regular brushing and flossing every day. The ADA recommends brushing at least twice a day and flossing at least once a day. Also integral to your oral care routine is professional care at least twice a year. At Blue Summit Dental Group, we can provide you with the cleanings and exams you need to optimize your oral health.

Dental Cleanings

Every day, plaque and oral bacteria build up in your mouth. This buildup is completely natural. However, if plaque and bacteria are left to build up too much, they can have detrimental effects, including tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease. Regular brushing and flossing are essential for preventing dangerous buildup. However, even if you brush twice a day and floss daily as the ADA recommends, there are certain areas of your mouth that may be harder to clean than others. You may think that you are thoroughly cleaning your teeth, yet you are still faced with oral health issues.

To help you prevent harmful buildup on your teeth, which then helps to prevent tooth decay and gum disease, the ADA recommends regular dental cleanings at least twice a year. Professional cleanings allow for the cleaning of even the most difficult to reach areas of your mouth, removing all buildup from the surfaces of your teeth. Using specialized tools, we can remove plaque and bacteria from your teeth, as well as stubborn tartar. This calcified tartar cannot be removed with a toothbrush and requires professional treatment to eliminate.

After we have thoroughly scraped every surface of your teeth, we then move on to polishing them. This is done with an electric handpiece, outfitted with a rotating head, and a polish that contains abrasives. As the head rotates, the abrasives scrub your teeth, cleaning them and giving them a healthy shine at the same time.

After polishing, we floss your teeth. Professional flossing not only aids in removing debris that you may miss, but it also works to remove the loose debris and polish that may have accumulated during your cleaning. If necessary, we can complete your cleaning with a fluoride treatment.

Exams

Exams are also an integral component of maintaining your oral health. The ADA recommends twice yearly exams, and these exams are often done at the same appointment as your cleaning. Exams are designed for us to spot oral health issues in their earliest stages, often before any symptoms begin to show. With early detection, we can provide the treatments you need to prevent more serious, and often more expensive, treatments later on.

During your exams, we check the condition of your teeth, looking for signs of damage such as cracks, chips, and decay. We assess the condition of your gums, looking for signs of swelling, redness, recession and anything else that can point toward gum disease. We also examine your other oral tissues for any signs of abnormalities, which may point toward oral cancer.

A discussion is also an important part of your exam. After we are finished inspecting your mouth, we discuss your oral care habits, as well as any lifestyle habits that may affect oral health. We go over any issues we find and discuss your treatment options. We can also provide tips on how to improve your oral health and will take the time to answer any questions that you might have.

Together with a good oral care routine at home, cleanings and exams can help to keep your teeth and gums healthy and can help to prevent serious issues from occurring. If it is time to schedule your next cleaning and exam, call Blue Summit Dental Group today at (810) 658-9177.

Contact Blue Summit Dental Group today at (810) 658-9177. We will gladly be of service to you.