Teeth Cleaning & Dental Checkups

 

There are many ways you can play an active role in maintaining your oral health. Having your teeth cleaned 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

Routine checkups are an essential part of proper oral hygiene. Some of the benefits of regular teeth cleanings include:

  • 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

Failure to keep up on proper oral hygiene can lead to:

  • 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 infections

What to Expect at Your First Checkup

A woman receiving a dental check up after her teeth cleaning

Our dental cleaning appointments are about an hour-long, and new patient visits typically last a bit longer. We take pride in getting to know each of our patients, tailoring treatments to the health needs and goals of every individual. Here’s what to expect the first time you come to our office:

  • Dental History—A hygienist or assistant will gather your dental and medical history so 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 a diagnostic tool for your comprehensive oral exam. If you have had x-rays taken within the last 12 months, please have them sent to our office.
  • 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, our doctors will examine your teeth for decay.
  • Gum Evaluation and Teeth Cleanings—Your provider 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 explaining proper oral hygiene.

Proper Oral Hygiene: How to Prevent Tooth Decay

There are several simple and affordable ways in which you can fight tooth decay—a common chronic health condition.

  • Brush twice and floss once daily
  • Have dental cleanings and checkups twice a year
  • Eat fewer sugary and acidic foods
  • Ask your dentist about additional cleaning supplements

The Teeth Cleaning Procedure

When you come in for a cleaning, your dental hygienist or doctor identifies and removes plaque—a soft film that can be removed by brushing—and tartar—a hardened plaque that requires dental instruments for removal. We make every effort to clean all surfaces of your teeth, including the tiny spaces between your teeth and along gum-lines where bacteria gather.

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

No. Prophylaxis—a fancy word for teeth cleaning—is the only dental procedure of its kind. Prophylaxis involves a routine teeth cleaning every six months.

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 various stages of gum disease
  • Perio Maintenance—a periodontal cleaning for those with a history of gum disease

The Cost of Teeth Cleaning

Most dental insurance policies include benefits that cover teeth cleanings. After all, not maintaining good oral hygiene will most likely lead to increased costs in the future, as failure to keep up with teeth cleanings often leads to serious and expensive health problems. At your visit, we present any possible costs up front and help you navigate your insurance benefits. Our main objective is to help you have a successful oral health experience.