Dental Cleanings
Dental cleanings are critical for your overall oral health. Although brushing and flossing your teeth is effective for removing plaque from your teeth, sometimes some plaque gets left behind and hardens into stubborn tartar. Unfortunately, only a dental instrument can remove the tartar from your teeth.
During your dental cleaning with one of our hygienists, they will use an ultrasonic tool or dental scraper to remove any built-up plaque and tartar. Once all of the plaque and tartar are removed from your teeth, your hygienist will polish your teeth which will remove surface stains and ensure your teeth look and feel squeaky clean. After we complete your polishing, we will floss your teeth.
Most patients will only need to visit us every six months for a dental cleaning. It’s important to have the plaque and tartar removed so it doesn’t develop into tooth decay or gum disease. However, some patients may require more frequent visits if tartar builds up easily or if they have gum disease. We will recommend the best timeframe for you.
Dental Exams
In addition to your cleaning your teeth every 6 months, we will also complete a dental exam. Once per year we will take x-rays of your teeth to get an inside peek of your tooth’s structure and to diagnose any problems like cavities, infections, impacted teeth, cracked teeth, and much more. The dental exam portion of your exam is critical for diagnosing problems in their early stage. Catching problems early allows us to provide you with treatment early so your problem doesn’t progress. The earlier we catch something, the less damage it will do and the easier and faster your treatment will be.
In addition to taking x-rays and looking for cavities, we will also look at your gum health. If we see any signs of gum disease like receding, inflamed, or bleeding gums, we may recommend a periodontics treatment like a deep cleaning.
We will also look around your mouth for unusual sores that may indicate oral cancer. Dental exams are important for maintaining a healthy smile because they allow us to catch problems early on.
At-Home Care Dental Care
The last aspect of your dental exam involves going over your at-home dental care routine. If we notice some areas of your mouth you regularly miss with the toothbrush, we will bring these up to you. We will also ask about your brushing and flossing habits. It’s easy for us to tell if you actually brush and floss the way you describe based on your oral health. If we think you could benefit from a change in your routine or a certain product, we will bring it up during your dental exam and cleaning.
Schedule Your Next Dental Cleaning and Checkups in Carlsbad
If you can’t remember the last time you had a dental cleaning or you’re looking for a qualified family dentist in Carlsbad, Dr. Luu is here to help. Please contact our family-friendly dental office today to schedule your next dental cleaning and checkup. We offer flexible hours to meet the needs of any family! Please call (760) 622-3010 today to schedule your appointment.