During a
dental checkup, you are most likely going to come across a dental hygienist and
the dentist. What the hygienist will do is that he or she is going to check
your teeth and gums and then clean and polish them. The hygienist may also talk
to you about how to care for your gums and teeth in the right way when you are
at home. Your Salem Oregon dentist may also carry out a clinical examination and then
diagnose your problem which will then help him or her to give you the right
treatment. Below are some of the things to expect when you go for a checkup.

Polishing

After the
removal of all the calculus, the crowns of your teeth are then polished so as
to remove any kind of surface stains and plaques. In some cases, an abrasive
substance may be applied on the teeth with the aid of a rotating brush or cup
that is small in size. This brush is important as it scrubs away all the stains
that may be on the teeth. The substance that is used for polishing may feel
gritty in your mouth which is why you may have to rinse it off several times.

Cleaning

The main aim
of dental cleaning is so as to remove tartar also known as calculus which is
normally just below or above the gum line. Also, flossing and brushing while at
home is also another way of removing plaque. Calculus can only be removed with
the aid of a dental instrument which you get once you visit a dentist. Many
dental hygienists make use of ultrasonic instruments which are used to remove
all the larger chunks of tartar that may be on the teeth.

X-rays

When you go
for a checkup, depending on the problem you have, the dentist may recommend
that you have an x-ray done. However, it is not a must that you have an x-ray
once you go for a dental checkup. The dentist may also want to view your dental
history, clinical examination as well as your individual risk of developing any
kind of dental cavities before he or she is able to decide whether or not an
x-ray is necessary.

Prevention

The dental
hygienist is going to offer a number of different instructions that should help
with your oral care while at home. The hygienist may also show you how to floss
and brush properly so that you are able to get all the dirt out without hurting
your gums.  You may also be given a
disclosing agent to help with your brushing. A disclosing agent is a tablet or
a red solution which is either chewed or applied to the teeth. What this agent
does is that it attaches itself to the plaque and colors it. This will help you
see the places that you had missed while brushing.