Step Up Your Preventive Dental Care with Routine Dental Exams and Cleanings

When you need to stay in control of your oral health, you may need help from your dental team. While you may diligently floss and brush your teeth, relying solely on at-home oral care is not be enough. To ensure comprehensive dental health, regular dental check-ups with Scott A. Babin, DDS & Associates in Edmonds and Renton, Washington, can help address any gaps in your at-home routine. We spot undetected oral issues during dental check-ups and remove built-in plaque during dental cleanings. 

Drs. Scott A. Babin and Anne Mazure-Schmidt recommend routine dental check-ups twice a year for a healthy mouth. However, patients at an increased risk of cavities, gum disease, and other oral issues should see a dentist more frequently. 

What to expect during dental exams

When you arrive at our dental clinic, you will be greeted by our friendly team. You’ve nothing to worry about during your dental exam. The procedure is quick and painless. Your dentist uses a small mirror or an intraoral camera to assess your smile for:

• Gum disease
• Cavities
• Signs of oral cancer
• Faulty dental work
• Jaw misalignment

Although we can pick several issues through physical and visual examinations, sometimes we may need the help of dental X-rays to unearth issues beneath the gum line. We use safe digital radiographs that deliver accurate and fast results without compromising your health. 

What to expect during a dental cleaning

If our dental team doesn’t find significant issues with your smile, we proceed with a dental cleaning. A dental hygienist typically does a professional teeth cleaning or prophylaxis (or “prophy”). The objective is to remove plaque and tartar accumulated between your teeth and below the gum line.

For thorough cleaning, the dental hygienist uses a scaler to remove dental calculus from all areas of your mouth. Where necessary, they may also use a high-powered toothbrush and gritty toothpaste to leave nothing to chance. Once your teeth are clean, the hygienist flosses between your teeth to eliminate any remaining debris. The final step is polishing your teeth to remove surface stains for a sparkling smile.

Benefits of routine dental check-ups and cleanings

Tempted to miss an upcoming dental appointment? Don’t take chances with your dental health. Oral exams only take two hours at most, but the results are long-lasting. 

The many benefits of dental exams include:

• Cavity detection
• Oral cancer detection
• Preventing gum disease
• Fight off bad breath
• Polishing that beautifies your smile

Entrust your smile with a caring dental office

If it has been several years since your last dental visit, we urge you not to wait until you are in pain to come to see Scott A. Babin, DDS & Associates. Routine dental check-ups detect and treat dental issues before they become big, painful, and costly. 

Are you looking for a dependable dentist in Washington? Please book an appointment by calling (425) 629-8228 for our Edmonds, WA office or (425) 793-2440 for our Renton, WA location.

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