Pristine Clean: Our Dental Hygiene Services
Our team at Select Dental Health understands that everyone’s dental needs are unique. That’s why we offer thorough dental hygiene appointments that prioritize patient comfort and provide comprehensive oral health assessments. During the visit, we review your medical history, perform an oral examination, check for cavities, and conduct a professional dental cleaning. This includes scaling to remove plaque and tartar, polishing to smooth and shine your teeth, and flossing. We also offer fluoride treatments to strengthen your teeth and prevent decay. After the cleaning, Dr. Eric Levine performs a bite and alignment check. Regular dental hygiene appointments can help prevent and treat dental problems, detect oral health issues early, improve your appearance, provide customized oral care advice, and even contribute to your overall health.
Benefits
- Comprehensive Oral Health Assessment: The combined efforts of the dental hygienist and dentist provide a comprehensive assessment of your oral health. The dental hygienist examines your teeth, gums, and overall oral structures, including cavity checks, while the dentist focuses on evaluating your bite and alignment. This thorough evaluation helps identify any potential oral health issues.
- Prevention and Treatment of Dental Problems: Dental cleanings by a hygienist remove plaque, tartar, and bacteria, reducing the risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and cavities. Additionally, the dentist's evaluation of your bite and alignment helps detect any issues that may lead to problems such as teeth grinding, jaw pain, or uneven wear.
- Early Detection of Oral Health Issues: The dental team's examination, including cavity checks, can identify early signs of dental problems, including cavities, tooth decay, gum disease, oral infections, or bite-related issues. Early detection allows for timely treatment and prevention of further complications.
- Fresh Breath and Improved Appearance: Dental cleanings remove plaque, tartar, and surface stains, leaving your teeth feeling clean, smooth, and looking brighter. It helps combat bad breath and gives you a fresher, more appealing smile.
- Customized Oral Care Advice: Dental hygienists provide personalized oral hygiene instructions based on your specific needs and concerns. They can address your questions, recommend appropriate oral care products, and guide you towards maintaining optimal oral health at home. The dentist can also provide additional guidance on bite and alignment concerns.
- Overall Health Connection: Good oral health is linked to overall health. Regular dental hygiene appointments, including cavity checks and the evaluation of bite and alignment, can contribute to better overall health by reducing the risk of systemic conditions associated with poor oral health, such as cardiovascular disease or diabetes complications.
Process
- Medical History Review: The dental hygienist will review your medical history, including any changes or updates since your last visit. It's important to provide accurate information as certain medical conditions or medications can affect your oral health.
- Oral Examination: The dental hygienist will perform an oral examination to assess your overall oral health. They will inspect your teeth, gums, tongue, and other oral structures for any signs of abnormalities, decay, inflammation, or gum disease. They may also take X-rays if necessary.
- Cavity Check: During the examination, the dental hygienist will check for the presence of cavities. They will visually inspect the surfaces of your teeth and may also use specialized tools or X-rays to detect any areas of decay or weakened enamel.
- Dental Cleaning (Scaling and Polishing): The hygienist will proceed with the dental cleaning, which involves two main steps: scaling and polishing.
- Scaling: Using specialized tools, the hygienist will carefully remove plaque and tartar buildup from your teeth, including areas that are difficult to reach with regular brushing and flossing. This process, known as scaling, helps prevent gum disease, tooth decay, and cavities.
- Polishing: After scaling, the hygienist will polish your teeth using a gritty toothpaste and a rotating brush or rubber cup. This step helps remove surface stains and leaves your teeth feeling smooth and clean.
- Flossing and Fluoride Treatment: The hygienist will floss your teeth to ensure that all plaque and debris are removed from between your teeth and along the gumline. They may also apply a fluoride treatment to strengthen your tooth enamel and provide added protection against cavities.
- Bite and Alignment Check by the Dentist: Following the dental cleaning and cavity check, the dentist will come in to check your bite and alignment. They will assess how your teeth come together when you bite down and evaluate the overall alignment of your teeth. This step ensures that your bite is balanced and there are no issues with your dental occlusion.
