Dental Exams & Cleanings
What are Dental Exams & Cleanings?
Exams and cleanings are crucial to the overall health of your mouth and smile. Cleanings are done by a licensed hygienist, while the exam is performed by one of our doctors. Cleanings work to remove hardened plaque and tartar from the teeth while checking the health of your gums. Exams are done to check for cavities, issues with restorations and even oral cancer.
Why are Dental Exams & Cleanings needed?
If you continually forgo your bi-annual exam and cleaning, you won’t be catching problems early on when they’re easily treatable. You’ll notice that your teeth begin to have a buildup on them as the plaque that was not removed hardens into tartar and calculus. Small cavities go unnoticed, eventually resulting in the need for more extensive and invasive treatment.
“I had such a great experience here,everyone made me feel at home. Dr.Patel was so good at explain all my treatment.”
Guadalupe Facundo
How often should Dental Exams & Cleanings be done?
Ideally, you should be coming into the office twice a year for both an exam and a cleaning. Bi-annual appointments help to keep your teeth in good shape and spot problems early on when treatment is easier and less invasive. In fact, cleanings can help to prevent tooth decay on their own as well as preventing gum disease. If it’s been awhile since your last exam and cleaning, it’s never too late to take a proactive approach to your dental care.
What happens during Dental Exams & Cleanings?
The appointment begins with x-rays taken to help in diagnosing a variety of dental conditions. The hygienist then works to clean your teeth using a series of tools and instruments. The hygienist removes both stains and tartar from the teeth to prevent them from getting worse. Your teeth are flossed and polished to a high shine. Your gums are then checked for any sign of gingivitis or gum disease. Next, the doctor comes in to perform the exam. The doctor looks for cavities, loose or broken restorations, problematic teeth and oral cancer. A treatment plan is created if any problems are found that need to be fixed.
If you think you may need a cleaning and exam, call our office and we will be able to schedule you with a convenient appointment.
