Cosmetic Dentistry

Visiting your dentist every 6 months is a very smart way to keep your teeth and mouth healthy.  These visits contain two parts:  the cleaning and the examination.

Cleaning Your Teeth

When you get called into the office, you will be placed in comfortable chair, and most likely you will have x-rays taken of your teeth.  This lets the dentist see if there are any cavities or problem areas. While your dentist is studying the x-rays, a dental technician will look in your mouth and start removing any built-up plaque and tartar. 

Polishing and Flossing

Plaque that builds up, hardens and becomes tatar, and can’t be removed by brushing, so the technician must remove it.  Your teeth feel really clean after this procedure.  When the cleaning is finished, the technician applies a gritty paste that polishes the teeth and removes any surface stains.  They will also floss between teeth to remove any material left behind.

Checking Your Gums

After cleaning your teeth, the technician will check your gums with a special tool that measures the depth of the spaces between your teeth and gums.  If your gums are healthy, the spaces will be shallow.  If the spaces become deeper, it signals that gum disease may be present.

Examination

When your teeth are clean and flossed and all debris removed, your dentist will examine your teeth for any cavities or other problems that may be present.  Your dentist can also warn you of any other potential health problems by the appearance of your teeth and gums and recommend any procedures that may need to be done such as filling cavities, correcting your bite, and teeth whitening.