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Checkups and Cleanings

Effective Prevention For Patients of All Ages

Everyone can agree that it’s best to keep dental work to an absolute minimum. Fortunately, many dental problems such as cavities and gum disease are largely preventable. With just a couple of visits a year to a dentist in Brampton (and a few good habits at home), you can avoid oral health problems and keep your smile looking and feeling fantastic. If you want to be proactive about your dental health and it’s been a while since your last visit, contact us at Torbram Dental today. We’d love to help you get your smile back on track!

The Importance of Dental Cleanings

If you wait until you’re in pain to come in for a checkup, the chances are good that you’ll need more extensive dental work like a root canal or crown to address the problem. By getting regular maintenance care for your teeth and gums, problems are found in their earliest stages when they’re easier and less expensive to treat.

In fact, one good way of thinking about it is to remember that dental insurance companies often cover preventative visits at 100% because they know it minimizes the overall dental work someone needs. If an insurance company saves money when you get preventative care, you will, too (not to mention the potential discomfort and time spent in the dental chair!)

The Process of a Dental Checkup

 

Although an important part of what we do is check for cavities, a checkup includes much more:

  • Your oral health and general health are linked, so we always start by updating and reviewing your medical history.
  • Routine X-rays are taken as needed (usually once per year) to show us what we can’t see with our eyes alone and make sure we don’t miss anything.
  • We also perform a fast, simple oral cancer screening at each checkup. This condition has been on the rise, but the survival rates are high with early detection.
  • Since gum disease is the #1 cause of tooth loss and also increases your risk for many diseases such as Alzheimer’s and heart problems, we’ll do a gum exam once a year and make treatment recommendations, as necessary.
  • Lastly, we’ll thoroughly examine your teeth and existing dental work to determine whether you have any treatment needs. Then we’ll tell you what we found and answer any questions you may have.

The Process of a Dental Cleaning

Your oral hygiene is critical for your teeth and gums, but even good brushing and flossing habits can’t remove all the plaque and tartar that builds up. Regular dental cleanings are necessary to help you avoid bad breath, cavities, and gum disease.

For the cleaning itself, we’ll ask you beforehand if you have any questions or concerns. Then we’ll use special tools to gently but thoroughly remove the deposits from your teeth, making sure you stay comfortable throughout. Finally, we’ll polish and floss and give you personalized tips to help you keep everything clean at home.

How to Maintain Your Oral Health Between Visits

The best way to maintain your fresh, clean feeling at home is to go back to basics. Brush at least twice per day for two minutes and floss at least once. Some people find it easier to comply with these recommendations by finding tricks that make it more convenient. For example, you may try flossing right after dinner or lunch instead of waiting until bedtime. You may also benefit from tools such as an electric toothbrush, interdental brushes, or an oral irrigator.

Dental Checkups & Cleanings FAQs

Whether it has been years since your last dental cleaning in Brampton or you’re preparing for your first of two in 2020, there are always questions to be asked and concerns to be addressed. How much will my visit cost? Will having my teeth cleaned hurt? Why is it so important to remove plaque and tartar? If you’re wondering about the answers and want to learn more about this important step in maintaining good oral health, our team has compiled the information you need to better prepare for your next visit. If you have additional questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Will it hurt to have my teeth cleaned?

The process of having your teeth cleaned should never hurt. As long as you are staying on top of your oral hygiene at home by brushing twice daily for two minutes, flossing at least once a day, and rinsing with an antimicrobial mouthwash, your dental cleanings should not be unpleasant at all. You may feel and hear some vibrations or other pressure within your mouth as the dental hygienist works, but that is all.

If you do begin to have an unpleasant feeling or experience any discomfort, make sure to alert us immediately.

What can happen if I don’t have plaque and tartar removed?

If you do not have regular dental checkups and cleanings (twice a year), plaque and tartar will accumulate around your teeth and gums. As a result, not only will it impact your smile’s aesthetic, but it will also lead to tooth decay and cavity formation as well as gum disease. If left untreated, this can cause potential bone and tooth loss and various health-related issues (i.e. heart attack, stroke, diabetes, neurological conditions, and more).

The removal of plaque and tartar is crucial if you want to maintain a healthy smile. Fortunately, our dental hygienists have the necessary tools to effectively remove these harmful bacteria and help you take back your gum health.

Why should I consider a fluoride treatment during my visit?

Fluoride is a natural mineral found in most water supplies and toothpaste. It is likely that if you are maintaining good oral health and drinking tap water, your teeth are already benefiting from it. However, during your dental cleaning in Bramela, we may recommend that you undergo a fluoride treatment to ensure an added level of protection against tooth decay. Apart from its ability to keep cavities from forming, it also strengthens tooth enamel.

The application of fluoride is quick, easy, and completely painless. It’s also one of the best dental solutions for both children and adults!

How much can I expect my visit to cost?

If you have changed dental insurance policies or recently enrolled, you will be pleased to learn that most plans agree to cover 80-100% of preventive services. Regular dental checkups and cleanings fall under that category as well as dental X-rays and other preventive offerings (i.e. fluoride treatment, dental sealants).

Because dental insurance is designed to prevent problems before they start, your commitment to being proactive about your oral health is kindly rewarded by the insurance company, as this not only saves you money and helps you maintain a healthy smile, but it also saves them from paying for future restorative services.