Exams and Cleanings in Mesa, AZ
A vital part of excellent oral health is visiting a dentist at least twice a year. Experts recommend that you get exams and cleanings every six months. Our dentist in Mesa, AZ will examine your teeth for damage and disease during these visits and then clean them. Here’s what you will experience during your appointment.
Examinations
At U Smile Family Dentistry, our staff will take x-rays and make you comfortable in our dentist’s chair. They will then review the x-rays for tooth and structural problems, then begin a physical examination. Our dentist will use a mirror to carefully inspect each tooth, looking for cracks, chips, fractures, or signs of decay.
They will also examine the gums for periodontal disease, look for signs of medical diseases, including oral and throat cancer. Symptoms of heart disease, blood pressure, and diabetes can also show while examining the teeth. Finally, after the examination, they will clean your teeth.
Cleanings
The dentist will choose from four types of cleanings:
- Prophylaxis
- Scaling and Root Planing
- Periodontal Maintenance
- Gross Debridement
Prophylaxis Cleaning
A prophylaxis cleaning is a regular cleaning that our staff gives most patients after routine exams and cleanings in Mesa, AZ or before teeth whitening. It removes plaque to prevent tooth decay, removes minor stains, and brightens your teeth.
Scaling and Root Planing
This cleaning helps treat gum disease when gums are receding from your teeth. It removes plaque and tartar buildup from teeth and the pockets that form around them from the disease. Planing teeth allows for the gums to reattach by making the root surfaces smoother.
Periodontal Maintenance
Periodontal maintenance is for people who have advanced cases of gum disease. These cleanings may take place every three months or so to remove plaque and tartar. Our dentist near you will examine the gums to note the disease’s progression and adjust the treatment plan accordingly.
Gross Debridement
A gross debridement takes place when patients don’t practice good oral hygiene. Their lack of hygiene skills or dental visits is easy to spot when there are excessive plaque and tartar on the teeth. Our dentist in Mesa, AZ will use equipment to help scrape tartar off teeth and thoroughly clean them.
If it’s been some time since you’ve visited a dentist, contact U Smile Family Dentistry to schedule your exams and cleanings near you for the year.