Kingston, TN
Oral care begins at home. The American Dental Association recommends brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing once a day to prevent cavities and gum disease and keep your smile healthy. While these habits are important, they are only part of maintaining optimal oral health. It is also important that you have regular dental visits every six months. At LakeView Dental Arts, we provide the cleanings and exams you need to optimize your oral health.
Cleanings
Throughout the day, plaque and bacteria collect in your mouth and on the surfaces of your teeth. Even though they are completely natural, they can be quite harmful if not removed frequently. Oral bacteria produce acids that adhere to the surface of your teeth. This buildup is referred to as plaque, which can lead to tooth decay, bad breath, and gum disease, if not removed through daily brushing and flossing. When plaque lingers on your teeth, it hardens into tartar, which can only be removed by a professional dental cleaning. However, even patients with the most perfect oral hygiene routine, and even dentists, develop tartar.
Dental cleanings are the most effective way to remove tartar. We recommend these visits twice a year or once every six months. However, some patients may require more frequent cleanings.
Your cleaning starts with a thorough scraping of your teeth. Using a specialized tool, we gently scrape away all buildup from all visible surfaces of your teeth. We also scrape between the teeth as well as along and just below the gum line. After scraping, the teeth are polished. We use an electric handpiece with a rotating head to scrub your teeth with a special dental polish that contains mild abrasives to polish your teeth. This provides your teeth and your smile with a beautiful shine. Finally, we floss your teeth. Along with removing any buildup, flossing helps to get rid of any loose debris or lingering polish that may have accumulated during your cleaning.
Exams
Exams are typically performed during the same visit as your cleaning. With exams, we take a close look at your teeth and your gums, checking for signs of decay, damage, and gum disease. We are trained to spot the earliest warning signs before you even notice any symptoms, which allows us to then provide you with prompt treatment before the condition worsens. Along with checking your teeth and your gums, we also perform an oral cancer screening, which involves scanning the soft tissues in your mouth to check for abnormalities.
Dental x-rays are an important part of your exams. While not typically performed at every exam, x-rays allow us to see the hidden structures of your mouth. With x-rays, we can check for cavities between your teeth, examine the tooth roots, monitor the condition of your jawbone, and more. They allow us to see issues that we might not otherwise notice until the condition significantly worsens and symptoms begin appearing. In dentistry, problems only get bigger, so it’s best to catch them early on when they are small!
Regular cleanings and exams are essential parts of keeping your smile healthy. If it is time to schedule your next cleaning and exam, call LakeView Dental Arts today at (865) 376-9687.
