Dental Exams & Cleanings
Dental Exam
A dental exam is a checkup of your teeth and gums. Most children and adults should get a dental exam every six months. These exams are important for protecting oral health. Oral health problems can become serious and painful if not treated promptly.
Dental exams are usually performed by both a dentist and a dental hygienist. A dentist is a doctor specially trained to care for teeth and gums. A dental hygienist is a health care professional trained to clean teeth and help patients maintain good oral health habits. Although dentists can treat people of all ages, children often go to pediatric dentists. Pediatric dentists are dentists who have received additional training to focus on dental care for children.
Other names: dental checkup, oral exam
To keep your mouth healthy, you'll need to take good care of your teeth and gums, both by having regular dental exams and practicing good dental habits at home. Good home oral care includes the following steps:
Brush your teeth twice a day using a soft-bristled brush. Brush for about two minutes.
Use a toothpaste that has fluoride. Fluoride helps prevent tooth decay and cavities.
Floss at least once a day. Flossing removes plaque, which can damage teeth and gums.
Replace your toothbrush every three or four months.
Eat a healthy diet, avoiding or limiting sweets and sugary drinks. If you do eat or drink sweets, brush your teeth soon after.
Don't smoke. Smokers have more oral health problems than nonsmokers.
Professional Dental Cleaning
A typical dental exam will include a cleaning by a hygienist, x-rays on certain visits, and a checkup of your mouth by the dentist.
During a cleaning:
You or your child will sit in a large chair. A bright overhead light will shine above you. The hygienist will clean your teeth using small, metal dental tools. He or she will scrape your teeth to remove plaque and tartar. Plaque is a sticky film that contains bacteria and coats teeth. If plaque builds up on teeth, it turns into tartar, a hard mineral deposit that can get trapped at the bottom of teeth.
The hygienist will floss your teeth.
He or she will brush your teeth, using a special electric toothbrush.
He or she may then apply a fluoride gel or foam to your teeth. Fluoride is a mineral that prevents tooth decay. Tooth decay can lead to cavities. Fluoride treatments are given to children more often than to adults.
The hygienist or dentist may give you tips on how to care for your teeth, including proper brushing and flossing techniques.