Dental Detective: 4 Dental Problems A Dental Cleaning Can Uncover

The best way to protect your teeth and gums is to keep them clean and free of bacteria. Bi-annual dental cleanings can keep plaque and calcified plaque from building up on your teeth. Dental cleanings can also uncover hidden dental issues.

Initially, dental hygienists perform an examination of your mouth before they begin to clean your teeth. During an oral exam, hygienists x-ray their patients' mouths. As a result, dental hygienists can find and notify you and your dentist of any dental issues that you might have.

Here are four of the most common dental problems that dental hygienists uncover during oral exams.

1. Gum disease

In its early form, gum disease can be difficult to detect. Just as there are oral bacteria that cause tooth decay, there are also bacteria that cause gum disease. Gum disease occurs when oral bacteria irritate gum tissue and cause it to recede. If left untreated, early-stage gum disease can progress into periodontitis, the most severe form of gum disease, which attacks the underlying bone and tissue.

A dental hygienist can spot gum disease while still in its early stage. They can then educate you on what you should do to keep gum disease at bay.

2. Impacted teeth

Dental x-rays allow dental hygienists to see the underlying structures of your mouth. Impacted teeth are teeth that are stuck in bone or gum tissue and so have trouble erupting. Wisdom teeth are most prone to impaction. Since impacted teeth can cause a lot of pain and even damage surrounding teeth, spotting them early and extracting them is important.

3. Mouth cancer

Dental hygienists can spot the signs of mouth cancer, such as lumps and loose teeth. Regular dental cleanings can help to spot early signs of mouth cancer. Patients can then seek treatment before the problem worsens.

4. Early-stage caries

Early-stage caries can be difficult to spot, especially if they occur between teeth. Caries refers to the process that causes cavities and tooth decay. During the early stage of caries, the surface of a tooth starts to break down. But if you can spot and treat early-stage caries quickly, you can help the affected tooth recover and stop the formation of a cavity.

Dental cleanings can help to combat cavities and tooth decay. And dental cleanings can uncover dental issues that you might not know you have. If you think you may have a cavity, talk to a dentist near you.