12
Feb
What Can I Expect from Routine Dental Check-ups and Cleanings?
Dental check-ups and cleanings are essential to your smile’s long-term health and beauty. If you’re not seeing your dentist regularly, you’re forgoing valuable protection against decay and gum disease. Your Manhattan Beach, California dentist, Dr. Don Mungcal from Beachside Smiles, answers your questions about dental check-ups and cleanings here to give you greater insight into the importance of these routine dental procedures.
Why are routine exams and cleanings so important?
Dental problems like decay and gum disease start small and develop over time. You may not notice the symptoms until these problems become major issues. Dr. Mungcal, however, can detect these problems as they develop during a routine exam. We can then nip them in the bud to keep them from escalating. Routine cleanings eliminate plaque and tartar from your teeth, which are major causes of decay and gum disease.
Catching and treating dental problems early can help prevent major treatments in the future and keep teeth strong and healthy long-term. Routine exams and cleanings are part of preventive dental care, saving you time and money to maintain good oral health.
What can I expect from a routine dental check-up and teeth cleaning?
During a routine check-up, Dr. Mungcal will examine your teeth and gums for signs of decay, gum infection, or irregularities. Once a year, we may order x-rays to check your bone health and look for non-obvious dental issues. We’ll also do an oral cancer screening to detect early warning signs of this deadly disease.
A dental cleaning entails removing all plaque and tartar from your teeth at and above your gum line. Then, we’ll polish and floss your teeth, leaving them smooth and shiny. Good home oral care isn’t enough to eliminate all plaque from your teeth. Our hygienist uses special dental tools to reach all the nooks and crannies where your toothbrush misses, removing plaque buildup that can lead to cavities.
How often should I have my teeth professionally cleaned?
Most people only need bi-annual exams and cleanings. If you’re troubled by frequent decay or show signs of gum disease, Dr. Mungcal may schedule quarterly cleanings to control these issues.
Do dental cleanings hurt?
Dental cleanings aren’t normally painful, although some people experience tooth or gum sensitivity. Our hygienist will take extra care to get your teeth sparkling clean without causing unnecessary discomfort or pain.
How can I protect my teeth in between professional cleanings?
Brush at least twice daily using a fluoride toothpaste and soft bristle toothbrush. Floss at least once daily, preferably before bedtime, to remove food particles between your teeth. Rinse your mouth with water after snacks and meals, and use an antibacterial rinse at least once a day to combat germs that can lead to decay and gum disease.
Where can I go for a comprehensive dental check-up and cleaning near me?
Residents of Manhattan Beach, CA, can contact Dr. Don Mungcal from Beachside Smiles at (310) 643-6004 for all their dental care needs.
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