A routine appointment for preventive dental care is typically divided into 2 parts, the dental examination and the hygiene cleaning. The order these occur in can differ from one appointment to another.
In many cases, your appointment will begin by having your teeth professionally cleaned by your dental hygienist. To start the cleaning process, your hygienist will use a scaler to remove any plaque buildup and tartar. Next, a polisher topped with coarse toothpaste, may be used to remove any remaining stains or plaque. This will be followed by a thorough flossing of your teeth and gums to ensure that your mouth is as clean as possible.
Once your cleaning is complete your dentist will come in to the treatment room to do the examination. In some cases, X-rays will be taken, and the dentist will examine your gums and assign a score to each area from 0-4 based on the health of your gums. The health and overall condition of each tooth will also be examined and recorded. If any issues are detected your dentist will take the time to educate you on your dental health and recommend any treatments that they feel are required.