Cleaning
 Your
regularly scheduled check-up is often referred to as a "cleaning",
but there is much more to it than that! The technical term is oral
prophylaxis, which means prevention of oral disease.
One way to prevent oral disease is to remove harmful plaque and
tartar (calculus) both above and below the gum line. You may also be given special
instructions on brushing or flossing to keep clean the areas where we found
significant buildup. That is the familiar "cleaning" part of your
checkup.
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It's easy to tell which tooth has been "cleaned"
in this photo!
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Another way to prevent oral disease is by early detection and
treatment. During your checkup you will be screened for many potential threats
to your oral health, including:
In addition, some systemic diseases, such as diabetes, often present
themselves first inside the mouth, so early detection extends beyond just oral
disease.
Your Dental Hygienist is your first-line of defense against oral
disease. Your hygienist is a highly trained professional who can evaluate your
teeth and gums, both visually and with the assistance of x-rays and other modern
technology, to discover threats to your oral or general health. Your dentist
will review the findings of your hygienist and advise you on any threats to
your oral or general health.
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