How to choose a good dentist? what is a cleaning?
Question:
second part: what constitute a cleaning?? like waht do they do when you ask for a cleaning??
thank you
Answers:
Best idea is to ask friends, family, neighbors, coworkers... A cleaning consists of xrays, the actual cleaning, and an exam. They take the xrays first normally. Then they do the cleaning. They will look at your teeth first to see if there are any major problems, and ask if you've been having any trouble. If you are, you should tell them up front! They will check your periodontal health with a periodontal probe, and see how deep your gum pockets are to see if you have any gum problems. Then they will scale your teeth, removing any stuck on plaque and tartar buildup. If you haven't had a cleaning in a long time, they may use an ultrasonic scaler, which may hurt a bit, but does a great job. Then they will polish your teeth. They might give you fluoride. They should also go over brushing and flossing with you. Then the dentist will come in and give you an exam, check your xrays, look for cavities.
1. Don't go to any dentist with a big ad in the yellow pages [or any other ad for that matter]. Those with only their name listed, and no ads, usually are that way because they only get new patients from satisfied referrals and these are the ones you should think about.
2. Ask friends and neighbors and then use those names to check them out in the yellow pages.
3. Phone the office and see if they practice preventive dentistry.
4. You should have just an exam and a full set of x-rays or "scan" at your first visit and not a cleaning and exam. An office should not set a cleaning apt. without an exam first unless all you want is just a cleaning.
5. They should be taking a complete medical history and also check you for oral cancer and periodontal disease at your exam apt.
6. Most offices place a numbing gel on your gums a few minutes before you receive an injection. Nowadays, injections are pretty much painless most of the time.
Guess that's enough to get you started.
A normal cleaning involves removing hard deposits [with either a hand scraper device or with ultrasonics] above and a little below the gum line and then polishing the crowns of the teeth. You will also be advised as to the correct way to take care of your mouth at home.
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