Do you think that it is important to schedule regular dental exams with our family dentistry? We suspect that you do agree that regular appointments with us are important, but a recent survey told us something else entirely. It revealed to us that even though most of you know that you need to see us every six months, very few of you are keeping your appointments!

We here at Cane Bay Family Dentistry strongly stress the importance of keeping up with your checkups and cleanings at our office. We promise that we do so much more than grill you about your brushing and flossing habits – we are also checking your oral health and helping you have your healthiest and best smile.

There are a few things that you can count on expecting during your dental exam with us. One of the first things that we may do during your appointment with us is advised dental X-rays. Dental X-rays are a fantastic way to diagnose any issues with your teeth, soft tissue, or gums. Normally, we recommend them every two years, but if you have any specific areas that need addressing, we may also take them.

During your appointment, we will also take your medical history. This will help us determine if there are any complaints that you have that need attention. Once we have your medical history, we will then proceed with your dental exam. We will check all surfaces of your mouth and your teeth, looking for problems like tooth decay, gum disease, and even oral cancer.

After your dental exam, we will then proceed with your teeth cleaning. First, we will start by scaling your teeth for you. This means that we will use a special tool to remove all hardened calculus (buildup) from the surface of your teeth and up underneath your gumline. While brushing and flossing at home can help prevent this from forming, you still need a regular scaling to keep your teeth and gums healthy.

Next, we will brush your teeth with a gritty toothpaste. This will help polish and smooth your teeth. We like to do this twice a year, and we do not advise that you use gritty toothpaste at home. Because it can be abrasive, doing it too often can be damaging to your enamel.

After we brush your teeth, we will then floss them for you. Sometimes patients notice a little bit of bleeding during the flossing. If that happens, we may advise that you flush more frequently at home (at least once per day). Finally, we will have you rinse your mouth out. We may offer you a fluoride rinse at this point, as well, which can be beneficial to help remineralize your teeth.

Regular exams and cleanings are one of the best things you can do, not only for your oral health but also for your general health. For instance, gum disease can lead to systemic illness, such as heart attack, stroke, cancer, and even death! If it has been longer than six months since you visited us here at Cane Bay Family Dentistry, please give us a call today at (843) 352-4454 to schedule your next checkup and cleaning.