Dental Hygiene Exams
Twice-yearly dental hygiene exams are essential for maintaining healthy teeth, gums and overall oral health. For the patients of North Andover, we are pleased to offer comprehensive dental care during each exam and thorough cleaning we perform.
Along with providing a professional cleaning that reaches parts of your mouth you may miss while brushing your teeth at home, our team of dental professionals will also check for oral cancer, gum disease and tooth decay.
Our hope is to catch any potential concerns before they require more extensive treatment.
What Happens During a Hygiene Exam?
One of our expert dental hygienists will start your visit by cleaning your teeth and mouth. This includes extensively removing any plaque and tartar that has built up on your teeth and gums, which helps prevent gum disease and cavities.
After this, your hygienist will brush, floss and polish your teeth. X-rays may also be included in an exam if you are due, and our team may also recommend a fluoride treatment for your tooth enamel.
While cleaning your mouth, your hygienist also closely examines your teeth, gums, muscles and soft tissues so they can discuss any findings with you and your dentist. Sometimes, what they find may require further dental treatment or referral to one of our specialist partners.
What Does the Team Look For in a Hygiene Exam?
Expect our team to do the following during your exam:
- A periodontal (gum disease) exam
- An orthodontic evaluation
- A general visual exam of your face, mouth, teeth and jaw
- Screening for cancer
If we spot any potential problems, Dr. Lily Zhang will work with you and the team to develop a plan for further treatment.
Additionally, there is a strong connection between good oral health and overall body health. Thanks to modern dental technology and training, our team can spot issues and risks during an exam like:
- Diabetes
- Oral cancer
- Sleep apnea
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Premature births
What Can I Do to Care For My Teeth at Home?
Dental health–and total health, for that matter–go beyond your twice-yearly standard visits to our office. We advise all of our patients to care for their mouths in a variety of ways between appointments. This can prevent problems like periodontal disease, gingivitis, halitosis (bad breath) and tooth decay.
Patient education and discussing your options for at-home care of teeth and gums are fundamental parts of our exams at 3-D Dental, PC Cosmetic & Dental Implant Center. We will address any questions you may have about your oral health habits, caring for your teeth and what you can do to keep your mouth healthy in between exams.
In general, we advise patients to brush their teeth twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Don’t brush too hard, as this may lead to gum recession. We also recommend using dental floss once a day to prevent gum disease and keep the space between teeth clean, too.
For each patient, we provide a hygiene kit with toothpaste, a toothbrush, floss and more goodies to take home with you.
Looking for a Dentist Near You in the Essex area?
We’re always welcoming new patients to our practice. To book an appointment with the 3-D Dental, PC Cosmetic & Dental Implant Center team today, give us a call during office hours at 555-555-5555.
We look forward to your dental visit and will see you soon!
