Many people are not aware of the procedure when visiting their dentist for a check-up, it does vary from patient to patient
A check-up involves an examination of your teeth, gums and mouth, which will assist to prevent minor problems turning into major ones.
What does a dental checkup include?
A general dental check-up and clean consists of a check-up, scaling and polishing of the teeth. Your Northshore dentist or dental hygienist will check for signs of apparent cavities while also checking for an excessive plaque. This is the clear, sticky layer of bacteria that can be found on your teeth.
Throughout the check-up, your dentist will check your gums making sure the spaces between your gums and teeth are shallow and have not started to become deeper. When the spaces between your gums start to become deeper it is usually the first sign of gum disease.
Your dentist will also do a complete check on your throat, neck, face and tongue looking for any signs of trouble or abnormal swelling as well as detecting any signs that may indicate oral cancer.
Scale and polish is the treatment to remove built-up plaque or tartar. An instrument such as an ultrasonic scaler will be used to get rid of any loose or larger pieces of tartar which will provide a deep clean above and below the gum line.
Once the teeth surfaces are smooth they are polished to remove any stains, an abrasive toothpaste-like material and fluoride are used to assist with the stain removal, leaving teeth smooth and shiny.
How long does a dental check uptake?
At Northshore Dental we recommend a regular 6-month checkup routine. Dental check-up and clean will take approximately 30 minutes to a one hour depending on the individual patient to properly perform and complete a dental cleaning procedure.
When was your last checkup and clean? Come and see us at Pacific Paradise for a comprehensive check-up and clean today. Call our friendly team at ph. (07) 5448 7849
