Dental Checkups
There are many ways you can play an active role in maintaining your oral health. Having your teeth cleaned in our office every six months is an excellent place to start. Our hygienists and dentists identify plaque and problem areas before thoroughly cleaning your teeth, providing you with information to sustain a happy, healthy smile.
Why is it important to have consistent teeth cleanings and checkups?
● Healthier bones and gums.
● Longer lasting teeth.
● Early detection and treatment of cancer and other oral health conditions.
Beautiful, healthy smiles.
What happens when we miss teeth cleanings?
● An impaired ability to eat and digest foods, leading to nutritional and systemic problems.
● Bad breath, resulting from advancing periodontal disease and/or rotting food particles.
● Negative effects on cardiovascular well-being and overall health.
● Gum infection and gangrene.
Proper Oral Hygiene: How to Prevent Tooth Decay
1 - Brush twice and floss once daily.
2 - Have dental cleanings and checkups twice a year.
3 - Eat fewer sugary and acidic foods.
4 - Take fluoride tablets, which make teeth more resistant to decay.
5 - Ask your dentist about additional cleaning supplements.
What to Expect at Your First Checkup
- Dental History—A hygienist will gather dental and medical histories so that we have a clear picture of your current health, including any medical conditions that can impact dental treatment.
- Digital X-rays—We take digital x-rays as diagnostic material for your comprehensive oral exam. If you have had x-rays taken within the last 12 months, please have them sent to our office. If you are unable to have x-rays taken, please inform the hygienist as you give your medical history.
- Oral Screening and Teeth Exams—After we perform an oral cancer/lesion screening for symptoms of cancer and other illnesses, such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes, we examine your teeth for decay.
- Gum Evaluation and Teeth Cleanings—Our hygienist will evaluate your gums, measuring periodontal pockets with a probe, and clean your teeth by identifying and removing areas of tartar, plaque, and calculus.
- Oral Hygiene Habits—We end your visit by reviewing and reinforcing proper oral hygiene.
The Teeth Cleaning Procedure
We often complete the cleaning with prophy paste. Its coarse quality, which removes any remaining plaque as it dissolves into a finer texture, leaves the teeth shiny and smooth. We inform you of any areas where plaque and tartar build-up, so you can give those places extra attention by flossing and brushing each day. Our goal is to enable you to easily and effectively care for your teeth.
Are there different kinds of teeth cleanings?
The procedures that are sometimes called “cleanings” are actually periodontal treatments:
- Full Mouth Debridement—a pre-cleaning for those with severe calculus build up.
- Scaling and Root Planing—a deep cleaning for those with early stages of gum disease.
- Perio Maintenance—a periodontal cleaning for those with a history of gum disease.
The Cost of Teeth Cleaning
Every patient’s budgetary situation is different, so we are happy to discuss yours with you. At a consultation, we present any possible costs up front to help you navigate your insurance benefits.
Our main objective is to help you have a successful oral health experience.
