Why Are Regular Checkups and Teeth Cleanings So Important?

Can you dance? Have you ever tried to learn the Tango? The basic Tango has five steps that have to be accomplished across eight beats of music. The first couple steps are easy, but if you can’t nail the rest of them — it’s not the Tango. It may be good for a laugh, but it won’t be the Tango.

Maintaining good oral health is kinda like learning the Tango. There are five basic steps and the first two are easy — brushing and flossing. The last three are pretty easy, too, but easy to skip or overlook at the same time — attending regular dental checkups, having your teeth cleaned annually, and getting all recommended dental treatment. Why are checkups and teeth cleanings so important? 

What happens at a dental checkup and cleaning?

Your dentist in Toronto will take a complete medical history to ensure the team at your dental clinic is aware of any risk factors for oral health issues and any symptoms you may be experiencing (or that you may be vulnerable to experiencing over time). 

Dentists and hygienists who commit their careers to ensuring patients’ oral health by providing checkups and dental cleaning in Toronto will conduct a complete and thorough examination of every surface in your mouth. By “every”, we mean “every.” The examination will look closely at the soft tissues of your cheeks and lips, your gums, your tongue, the visible part of your throat and, yes, every surface of every tooth.  What are ten of the things a dentist near you will be looking for?

• Any indication of decayed or damaged teeth
• Any inflammation or pockets in your gums
• Any indication that any of the soft tissues in your mouth are or have been bleeding, inflamed or infected
• The integrity of any prior dental work (fillings, crowns, bridges, etc.)
• Any indications of irregular cells in your mouth that may indicate the presence of oral cancer, which may involve special screening implants such as the VelScope scanner (a completely non-invasive method of detecting potentially concerning cells)
• Any suggestion that you grind your teeth or clench your jaw as you sleep (a condition called sleep bruxism)
• Any symptoms of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction 

The spacing between your teeth, the alignment of your teeth, how the teeth in your upper and lower jaw meet, whether any teeth are overlapping, whether any teeth are being pushed or twisted out of position, and whether there is any sign that wisdom teeth are emerging, becoming impacted or affecting the health and position of your other teeth

Depending on the result of that examination and your prior dental treatment history, the team at your dental office in Toronto may recommend the taking of x-rays to take a look beneath the surface, the application of fluoride or sealants (or other preventative measures), and even perhaps a treatment plan to deal with any issues of concern — before they become significant and complex.

Every dental checkup will also include a thorough dental cleaning near you. In most situations, that cleaning is performed by a dental hygienist who will use special tools, mirrors and pressurized water to remove all plaque and tartar from every surface of your teeth and along your gums — even and especially plaque and tartar that you can’t even see at home, never mind remove effectively no matter how diligently your brush and floss.

We’re occasionally asked whether having your teeth cleaned can cause damage to your teeth and enamel. The answer is “no.”  Enamel can be damaged by eating and drinking acidic foods and drinks and even by overly aggressive tooth brushing, but dental professionals use specialized tools and substances to remove plaque and tartar without degrading enamel. Also, don’t forget that your dentist will recommend fluoride as appropriate to boost the strength of your tooth enamel, too.