Dental Hygiene/Exams
A healthy and beautiful smile hinges on excellent dental care. Regular biannual visits with our team can help keep your teeth looking good and will enable us to catch any potential problems early.
Tooth decay, gum disease, and oral cancers can be detected early and treated with diligent dental care routines. Also, some systemic diseases like diabetes and heart disease show early symptoms in the mouth, which can be diagnosed and treated with early detection.
Dr. Crosby and his team will keep an eye on your teeth and gum health to give you the best smile possible.
What Will Happen During My Exam?
At your exam, you will meet with one of our friendly and professional hygienists. The first part of your exam will consist of cleaning the teeth and the areas around the gumline. The hygienist will gently scrape away any plaque or debris buildup on the teeth and gums, leaving your teeth healthy and clean. This is a great preventive measure that can stop — and even reverse — gum disease. Working through your mouth, your hygienist will also clean and polish your teeth, all the while checking for signs of oral cancer, tooth decay, or infection.
Next, you will meet with Dr. Crosby, our dentist. The hygienist will pass along any pertinent information or findings from the cleaning to the doctor. During the exam, Dr. Crosby will assess your overall tooth and gum health, and he will examine the jaw muscles, soft tissues, and parts of your throat. The dentist may also want to take X-rays to examine your teeth and jaw further or simply get a baseline for your teeth.
After your exam, you will spend time talking to Dr. Crosby. Together, you will discuss his findings, as well as possible options for treatment and ongoing care. Sometimes, simply maintaining good dental health at home with regular brushing and flossing is enough to keep your teeth looking great between appointments. We are happy to send you home with a small dental care kit which includes a toothbrush, floss, and toothpaste.
What Are You Checking For?
Both the hygienist and dentist examine your teeth and gums to confirm overall dental health. Together, they will search for signs of cracked or diseased teeth, infection, irritation, or periodontal disease. Your dentist will also look for potential signs of systemic disease, like heart disease or specific tooth and gum diseases.
As part of the exam, your dentist will include:
- Orthodontic evaluation
- Oral cancer screening
- Mouth, face, and jaw soft tissue exam
- Periodontal evaluation
By examining your teeth twice per year, our team can help protect your overall health and keep your teeth clean.
What Can I Do Between Exams?
Because we may only get to see you twice per year, it is essential to practice good dental hygiene at home. Keeping up with regular oral routines between visits is the best way to practice preventive dental care, keep your teeth healthy, and stop potential issues before they have a chance to form.
Remember to brush your teeth twice per day with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Although it can be tempting to press extra hard as you brush, consistent light pressure is the best way to encourage a healthy smile. You’ll also want to floss at least once per day to keep your gums healthy.
Try to avoid foods and drinks that can stain your teeth. Dark liquids like sodas, tea, and wine contain chemicals that can cause your white teeth to become stained. Avoid tobacco products like cigarettes and chewing tobacco that can further stain the teeth. By practicing good dental hygiene at home, you can keep your teeth looking great between appointments.
To learn more about professional dental exams and cleanings with our caring team, or to schedule your next dental hygiene appointment, we welcome you to contact Crosby Dentistry today.