Benefits of Dental Exams and Cleanings

Regular dental exams and cleanings are core components of preventive dentistry. As most dentists and other health professionals will tell you, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Undoubtedly, the best way to safeguard your oral health is to keep common dental problems at bay. It’s better to schedule a visit with your dentist before you encounter a dental issue than wait until you are battling cavities, gum disease, and other challenges.

Newburyport Family Dental offers personalized dental care services for the whole family. If you’re looking to enjoy painless dental exams procedures and comprehensive dental cleanings, get in touch with Newburyport Family Dental to schedule an appointment.

Do Kids Require Dental Exams and Cleanings Too?

The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends dental exams and cleanings for the whole family. Ideally, a dentist should evaluate your child as soon as their first milk tooth erupts or by their first birthday, whichever comes first.

Setting a solid oral health care foundation for your child increases their chances of enjoying a healthy smile in their adulthood.

Children aged between 6 and 13 are especially susceptible to cavities and must be closely monitored by an experienced and child-friendly dentist. Your dentist may recommend getting dental sealants for your child if they’re within these ages. Dental sealants form a protective barrier that keeps bacteria, acids, and plaque from attacking the back teeth, i.e., molars and premolars.

Adults, too, can get dental sealants as part of their preventive dental care, provided they don’t have cavities or tooth fillings.

What to Expect

Here’s what to expect during your dental exams procedures and dental cleanings:

• The dentist evaluates your oral and overall health. In particular, the dentist assesses your gum health, checks for cavities, oral cancer, tooth grinding, and evaluates your risk for the same.
• The dentist further determines if you require tooth restoration or replacement.
• Your dentist may obtain dental x-rays to gather in-depth insights into your oral health.
• The dentist checks if you have any jaw or bite problems.
• Using a dental scaler, the dentist or dental hygienist removes stains and plaque deposits from your teeth.
• The dental hygienist also uses an electric toothbrush and gritty toothpaste to get rid of any stains that may remain after using the dental scaler.
• Your dentist demonstrates proper teeth and denture cleaning techniques.
• In some instances, you may require fluoride treatment as part of your dental exams and cleaning appointment.

Importance of Regular Exams and Cleanings

The most cost and time-efficient way of handling dental problems is to prevent them from occurring. Regular exams and cleanings lower your risk of encountering dental challenges. Some key benefits of dental exams procedures and dental cleanings include:

• Dental exams allow the dentist the opportunity to catch dental problems before they escalate.
• Dental exams and cleanings prevent tooth decay and gum disease.
• The sooner the dentist catches a problem, the higher the likelihood that it can be corrected via simple, non-invasive means.
• Safeguarding your oral health via regular exams and cleanings protects your overall health. Studies have shown that poor oral health predisposes one to chronic health issues, including heart disease.
• It’s usually cheaper to prevent a problem than it is to treat it.

Tried and Tested Dental Hygiene Tips

Taking adequate care of your teeth at home is as important as ensuring you’re visiting the dentist twice yearly for dental exams and cleanings. Here are some critical dental hygiene tips to keep in mind:

• Your teeth require brushing twice daily, at a minimum.
• Ensure you floss your teeth once every day.
• Avoid brushing your teeth immediately after indulging in acidic beverages, as acids weaken tooth enamel, and brushing soon after can cause wear and tear.
• Avoid using your teeth to open bottles or packages. Use appropriate tools instead.
• If you encounter a dental emergency, get in touch with Newburyport Family Dental immediately. A wait-and-see approach to dental crises can compromise your oral well-being over the long term.

Schedule Your Appointment

Are you looking to take charge of your oral well-being? Call Newburyport Family Dental today to schedule your dental exams and cleanings. Newburyport Family Dental is a trusted dental practice that offers comprehensive dental care services for the whole family.