Preventive examination and cleaning
Routine visits every six to twelve months are the basis of rigorous dental care. These appointments include a preventive examination to quickly identify various oral problems, and a thorough cleaning. The latter helps control sources of infection. The professionals at the Centre dentaire Taschereau in Brossard look forward to seeing you on a regular basis, so that you can benefit from this essential oral health care.
Preventive examinations: essential and beneficial
As the name suggests, dental care aims to prevent the onset and development of various diseases and conditions. To do this, you need to be able to control risks and treat emerging problems quickly and appropriately. This is where the preventive examination comes in. During this part of the routine visit, the dentist checks, in a few steps, the condition of the mouth and its structures. He can then identify signs of pathology, disease and wear.
Contents of the preventive examination
- Examination of tooth surfaces: the dentist checks for the presence of stains or carious lesions. He also assesses the degree of wear of the teeth;
- A check of prostheses and restorations: we ensure that fillings, crowns and fixed bridges are in good condition and that prostheses are still functional and fit properly;
- Checking the condition of the gums: the professional looks for signs of inflammation, indicating the presence of gum disease of varying severity;
- Soft tissue examination: the dentist checks for suspicious and potentially cancerous lesions;
An examination of the condition and function of the temporomandibular joints (TMJs);
- X-rays: for a clearer view of all oral structures and a more precise diagnosis.
Cleaning: to control sources of bacteria
This other part of the routine visit represents preventive care par excellence. Here, the dental hygienist thoroughly cleans the surfaces of the oral cavity. Using precision tools, she polishes the teeth, loosening accumulated residues and eliminating bacteria. She also performs scaling. This is a crucial step, as tartar cannot be removed by any other means. This bacteria-laden deposit at the junction of teeth and gums is the cause of most gingivitis and periodontitis. Hence the importance of controlling it.
The dental hygienist: a professional at the heart of preventive care
It's not just the dentist who provides support and preventive care, but the dental hygienist as well. The dental hygienist performs cleaning and scaling, as well as a pre-examination of the mouth, which helps the dentist check the right things. She's also well placed to talk to you about the impact of your habits (hygiene, diet, smoking, etc.) on your oral health, and to offer you personalized advice!