Effective Cleanings and Prevention in Port Orchard, WA
Receiving regular dental cleanings and exams is crucial in keeping your mouth healthy and your smile beautiful. This routine preventive care helps our dentist to monitor your oral health and provide prompt treatment for any developing problems.
One of the most important ways to maintain excellent oral health is by scheduling regular dental cleanings. These cleanings can help to remove plaque or tartar that form in between the teeth. Even with daily brushing and flossing, those “hard to reach” places are often missed. It is recommended that you visit Port Orchard Dental Care Center once ever six months for a cleaning.
How it’s done:
Your cleaning should last between thirty minutes and one hour. One of our skilled hygienists will first perform the cleaning, and then Dr. Karbassi will come in after for an examination. Most patients do not experience any discomfort or pain during their cleanings.
The cleaning will consist of scaling and polishing.
During the scaling process, electric and hand tools will be used to remove tartar and plaque from the surface of the teeth, in between the teeth, and at the pockets along the gums.
Following this, a polishing will be completed to remove any final plaque and to buff the teeth. Polishers have several different head sizes that can be used in order to reach all surfaces of the teeth.
Alongside a dental cleaning every six months, you should also be receiving a dental exam at the same frequency. These exams are essential to maintaining healthy teeth and gums, while saving you time, money, and discomfort associated with greater dental issues down the line. At the twice-yearly interval, we are typically able to identify and start treatment on most oral health issues while they are still in their infancy.
How it’s done:
First Dr. Karbassi will examine your mouth visually, using tools such as mirrors and high-intensity lights. The doctor will be looking for cases of decay, cracks in the teeth, and will review other important information with you, such as:
- Medical history
- An oral cancer screening
- Gum disease evaluation
- Examination of existing dental restorations
Additionally, diagnostic x-rays will be taken in order to help reveal any issues with areas that are not visible to the naked eye, such as the roots or inside of the teeth. Bitewing x-rays are typically taken every 12 months and a panographic x-ray, which revolves around the head, is taken every 3-5 years.