Dentist check up and clean in Thornleigh

Regular dental check up and clean is an essential part of taking care of your health. This guide aims to provide you with a comprehensive overview of its importance, what to expect during these appointments, their benefits, and tips for maintaining good oral hygiene between visits.

To keep your teeth and gums healthy, regular dental visits are essential. These sesssions should be scheduled every six months for optimal dental health and to prevent serious dental conditions from taking root.

During a dental check-up, our dentist will perform a thorough examination of each tooth, the surrounding gums, tongue, and all other oral structures. Your dentist will check for cavities and signs of tooth decay, examining your teeth's surfaces and the areas between them. Tooth decay often presents as darkening of the tooth enamal. X-rays might be needed to determine the extent of any cavities found during the examination or to detect deep issues in the teeth. Our thorough examination also includes assessing the health of your gums, including checking for signs of gingivitis or periodontitis. These often present at home as bleeding when brushing or swelling around the borders of the teeth. Our dentist will also perform an oral cancer screening to detect any unusual growths or lesions in the teeth, gum and other mouth tissues.

Once an extensive exam is completed, the work of cleaning the teeth begins. It starts with plaque and tartar removal. Plaque is soft and sticky film, that is stuck to the tooth enamal while tartar is hardened thick layer that is adhered to the tooth. During the clean, special tools are used to these types of stains from from your teeth. It may include a high pressure water jet or a vibrating scaler to shake free the debris that builds up in the mouth. By catching these stains early, they do not build up, and thus cannot harbor harmful bacteria. As the dentist litterally flushes away the gum bacteria, they do not get a chance to damage the tooth’s top surface layer - the enamel.

Once the clean is done, you teeth will be polished to remove surface stains and make your teeth feel smooth. Stains can come in the form of dark streaks called calculus or tooth darkening. A fluoride treatment is also recommended as it acts to strengthen your teeth and prevent future cavities.

Regular check up and clean sessions have many benefits:

1. Prevention of tooth and gum disease

2. Early detection of potential problems such as cavities, gum disease, or oral cancer, making treatment more effective and less invasive.

3. Improved asthetics and breath odour

4. Personalized advice on oral hygiene techniques, diet, and lifestyle choices

Once your clean is done, the hard work begins - maintenance. By committing to properly cleaning and flossing your teeth you can enjoy your smile well into your 80s. Basic principles of good oral hygiene include:

• Brush your teeth at least twice a day using fluoride toothpaste.

• Use a soft-bristle toothbrush and practice gentle, circular motions.

• Clean between your teeth daily using dental floss or interdental brushes.

• Practice a balanced diet, rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains.

• Limit sugary snacks and beverages.

• If you smoke or use tobacco products, consider quitting.

• Limit alcohol consumption as it can contribute to oral health issues.