CHECKING AND CLEANING YOUR TEETH AND GUMS
Regular checkups and cleanings are the most common preventive dental measures, and generally, everyone over the age of three should attend an appointment at least once every six months. The goal of each appointment is to clean away all traces of plaque and tartar from your teeth, and to thoroughly inspect them for signs of trouble. By sticking to the schedule your dentist recommends, you can more effectively prevent issues such as tooth decay and gum disease and preserve your healthy smile. If a concern does develop, then we can detect and treat it early enough to help you avoid the need for extensive treatment.
REGULAR EXAMS AND CLEANING
A regular checkup and cleaning appointment consists of a visual inspection during which we’ll carefully check the health, integrity, and appearance of your teeth and oral tissues. We may also use digital imaging technology to gain a clearer, more precise picture of your oral health, and to examine more closely, if we detect that an issue may be developing. Your visit will also include comprehensive cleaning and polishing to remove all traces of harmful oral bacteria and food particles that could feed them. Professional cleaning is the only way to effectively remove tartar (calcified plaque) that cannot be removed with toothpaste and water.
DEEP (PERIODONTAL) CLEANING
While regular dental cleaning can remove the plaque and tartar from the visible surfaces of your teeth, you may require deep cleaning if the bacteria have worked their way underneath your gums. This can lead to the development of gingivitis – the first stage of gum disease – leading to rampant inflammation and damage to your gums. Deep cleaning, also known as scaling and root planing, is the process of carefully accessing your teeth roots to thoroughly clean them of harmful bacteria. Once completed, deep cleaning can allow your gums to heal and reattach to your teeth securely, making it less likely that bacteria can settle underneath them again.
ORAL CANCER SCREENING
Deep cleaning is a more involved form of dental cleaning, and oral cancer screening is a more direct form of dental examination. During a screening, we’ll carefully check every aspect of your oral tissues for signs such as lesions, ulcers, sores, lumps, and more, which could indicate the early stages of oral cancer. A screening will be performed during every visit, and we’ll give you tips on how to perform self-checks at home at least once a month between appointments. If the screening results are a cause for concern, then we may suggest an oral tissue biopsy from a trusted specialist for more precise diagnostic results.
SCHEDULE A CHECKUP & CLEANING
Checkups and cleanings are necessary for everyone, but they’re only effective if you diligently stick to the schedule that your dentist recommends. To learn more, or to schedule an appointment with us, call Delightful Dental Care in Kansas City, MO, at 816-942-7669. We proudly serve patients and families who live in South Kansas City, Leawood, Overland Park, Johnson County, and all nearby communities.