Along with your daily dental health routine, regular checkups at Robert Matlach Dental in Huntington NY are essential to maintaining good dental health, and the peace of mind that comes with it.
For most patients, we recommend a checkup every six months. Sometimes we need to see a patient more often, and sometimes less often. But twice a year is the norm.
Checkups are divided into two parts: the cleaning and the examination.
The Cleaning
Cleaning your teeth is done by a hygienist, and usually comes before the exam.
- Teeth and gums are inspected
- Built-up plaque and tartar are removed
- Your teeth are polished
Plaque is a filmy, sicky layer of bacteria. You can remove it with daily brushing and flossing, but there may be hard-to-reach areas where some has remained. When it isn’t removed, plaque hardens into tartar.
Tartar cannot be removed by brushing and flossing. It can only be removed with special tools, in a process called scaling.
Polishing is a lot like brushing at home, but we use special tools for that, too. We also use a gritty paste that helps to get off any surface stains. This paste is strong stuff: okay to use every six months, but much too abrasive for daily use.
The Exam
A dental examination is performed by the dentist. It involves your teeth and gums, as well as an inspection of the tongue, throat, face, head, and neck.
- Teeth are inspected for cavities
- Gums are inspected for any sign of gum disease
- Tongue, throat, and head area are inspected for any signs of cancer
Any issues are usually addressed in a follow-up appointment.
Between checkups, it’s important to brush and floss every single day. Plaque is constantly forming on teeth, but if you remove it every day it shouldn’t cause you any problems.
At Robert Matlach Dental in Huntington NY, we want to see each of our patients for a general dentistry cleaning and checkup every six months. Find out why people from North Bay, East Smithtown, and South Melville trust us with their smiles! Our services also include restorative dentistry. Schedule your next checkup today!
Contact Matlach Dental:
631-421-3388
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
158 E Main St Ste 5
Huntington, New York
11743
