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?
Routine checkups are an essential part of proper oral hygiene. Some of the benefits of regular teeth cleanings include:
What happens when we miss teeth cleanings?
Failure to keep up with proper oral hygiene can lead to:
What to Expect at Your First Checkup
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 and tailoring treatments to every individual's health needs and goals. Here's what to expect the first time you come to our office:
Dental History
A hygienist will gather dental and medical histories to provide 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 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, measure 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.
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.
- Take fluoride tablets, which make teeth more resistant to decay.
- Ask your dentist about additional cleaning supplements.
The Teeth Cleaning Procedure
When you come in for a cleaning, your dental hygienist 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 removes any remaining plaque as it dissolves into a finer texture, leaving 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 routine teeth cleaning every six months.
The procedures that are sometimes called “cleanings” are actually periodontal treatments:
The Cost of Teeth Cleaning
Most dental insurance policies include benefits that cover teeth cleanings. After all, not maintaining good oral hygiene will likely lead to astronomical costs down the road, as failure to keep up with teeth cleanings often leads to serious and expensive health problems. Every patient’s budgetary situation is different, so we are happy to discuss yours with you. At a consultation, we present any possible costs upfront to help you navigate your insurance benefits. Our main objective is to help you have a successful oral health experience.