During the consultation, the dental hygienist will perform a thorough examination of the mouth and examine each individual tooth. The hygienist will also examine the gums and check for possible gaps or pockets between the gums and teeth. These may indicate the development of gum disease or infection. Your hygienist will start by reviewing your medical history, which is vital to ensuring safe care.
This will include any medical conditions you may have or any prescription medications you are taking that may affect the care you receive. They will also ask you about your social history, including your smoking status and your alcohol consumption, which also influence your oral health. Your hygienist will also ask you about your dental history, your current oral hygiene regimen, and any concerns you may have with your teeth. Next, your dental hygienist will move on to the exam portion of your appointment.
During the exam, the hygienist will check your gums for any irregularities, bleeding, or early signs of gum disease. As part of the gum exam, the hygienist will measure the space between the teeth and the gums for any signs of gum retraction, which is an indicator of periodontal disease. Before cleaning your teeth, they'll also check where the most plaque and tartar buildup is and if your tooth enamel is healthy. Hygienists have many tools at their disposal to remove the plaque and tartar that build up on the front and bottom of pearlescent whites, beyond brushes, dental floss and mouthwash.
For example, scrapers help remove deposits and particles that can form where gums and teeth meet. During the extraction process, which involves gentle scraping, the gums may bleed slightly depending on their sensitivity and the time that has passed since the last cleaning. Later on, once you've gone home, your gums may hurt. This is normal and nothing to worry about.
The duration of sensitivity may vary, but is usually no more than one week to one and a half weeks. Gum pain is one of the most common symptoms of deep cleaning, which is a more thorough process of eliminating bacteria to further reduce the risk of gingivitis and other oral health problems. Because root scraping and planning (the more technical term for deep cleanings) involve working along the gum line, your gums may hurt later on. This feeling should go away on its own, but if it doesn't, contact your dentist.
If you haven't had your teeth professionally cleaned in a while, you may have forgotten what to expect during these types of visits. Visiting your dentist regularly for mouth cleanings and evaluations is an essential aspect of maintaining good oral health. At Serene Smiles, our goal is to make all of our patients in and around Westerville as comfortable as possible during every procedure, including dental cleanings.