Your mouth is the entryway to your digestive and respiratory systems, so it indeed plays a key function in your health. As such, it needs optimum protection and care.
To keep your mouth clean and healthy, you need to brush and floss every day. You also need to keep regular dental appointments – which naturally involves a thorough cleaning by a dental hygienist.
Let’s talk about what’s involved in regular dental cleanings, what a hygienist does, and where you can go for world-class oral healthcare here in the Twin Cities.
Professional Cleaning by a Dental Hygienist
Your hygienist will first scrape off any plaque that has formed on your teeth. Dental hygienists have special tools that can remove plaque buildup much more completely than brushing and flossing ever could.
After removing the plaque, the hygienist will polish your teeth for a professional super-cleaning. The polish helps to keep your teeth clean by fully removing bacteria from the surface of your teeth.
The dental hygienist will also make note of any areas of your teeth that look chipped, any cavities or soft areas in your teeth, any areas that caused you pain when they touched the area, and any tenderness or redness of your gums. The hygienist will report these issues when the dentist walks into the examination room to give you a quick checkup.
The hygienist may also make note of any deterioration of your gums by taking measurements. The hygienist utilizes Florida Probe which takes a measurement of the gumline of each tooth. This way, your dental team can check for any issues with your gums, as later measurements will be compared with these.
The hygienist will also take X-rays of your teeth when you are due for X-rays (per your approval and acceptance). All dental personnel will leave the examination room during the X-rays in order to avoid too much radiation exposure themselves because they perform X-rays on a regular basis.
Comprehensive Dental Care in Minneapolis-St. Paul
Although you brush and floss your teeth every day, professional cleaning performed by a dental hygienist gets into spaces not easily accessible by toothbrushes and dental floss. Dental hygienists have the tools and training to perform a thorough cleansing of your teeth, and they gather information through technologies, so the dentist can diagnose the condition. Here at Hagerman Dental Care, we use the cutting-edge DEXIS CariVu technology for safe and easy cavity detection.
Maintaining excellent oral health does more than just keep your smile looking great – it also benefits your general health. If you’re looking for a caring and experienced dentist in St. Paul, schedule an appointment today at Hagerman Dental Care.
If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment with Dr. Steven Hagerman, contact our friendly staff today by calling us at (651) 646-2392. You can also fill out our easy-to-use appointment request form online now. We look forward to being your partner in dental health!