Dental Checkups and Cleanings – Richardson, TX

Dental Checkups

During your checkup, you’ll be asked about any health problems you’re suffering from or medications that you’re taking; these factors could affect your oral health as well as the type of treatment you can receive. Dr. Shwarts and your hygienist can perform an examination of your teeth and gums to see if there’s any tooth decay or gum disease in development. This is also a good opportunity to look for warning signs of oral cancer, which is far easier to treat successfully if it’s caught early.

We’ll check for plaque and tartar buildup, weakened enamel, swollen gums, and mouth sores that could be a symptom of a larger problem. We might also take X-rays to check for bone loss in the jaw, infections in the roots of your teeth, and any other oral health issues that would be hard to identify with a simple visual inspection. We’ll then recommend necessary treatments depending on what we’ve found.

Dental Cleanings

Plaque – a soft, sticky film containing food particles, bacteria, and other debris – is constantly building up in your mouth, and when left in place it can lead to tooth decay. You can remove the film with brushing or flossing, but if you don’t clean it off in time, plaque will harden into tartar, which can only be removed with a professional cleaning.

During your appointment, we’ll check for plaque and tartar above and below your gum line, then scrape it off with special dental tools. The cleaning will also include a thorough flossing to ensure that we’ve reached every nook and cranny and have removed all of the harmful substances present in your mouth. The final step is to polish the teeth; not only does it leave them looking brighter, but it also smooths the surface so that it’s harder for plaque to reattach itself.

The Importance of Checkups and Cleanings

Of course, you should already be cleaning your teeth every day by brushing and flossing; however, it’s easy to miss some areas in your mouth without realizing it, and that could give plaque a chance to become tartar. Furthermore, many dental issues develop silently, meaning you might not notice symptoms until severe damage has already been done. By visiting Dr. Shwarts every six months, you’ll keep your teeth and gums as clean as possible and give yourself the best chance of receiving treatment for cavities and gum infection as soon as you need it.