What is a Dental Cleaning and Exam?

A cleaning and exam is designed to remove buildup from your teeth as well as to check the overall health of your teeth, gums and mouth. During a routine cleaning, excess tartar and calculus buildup is removed from the teeth. Your gums are checked for signs of gingivitis and gum disease. The exam itself is designed to check for signs of decay as well as issues involving restorations and even oral cancer.

Why would you need a Dental Cleaning and Exam?

Dental exams and dental cleanings are part of your preventative care regimen. Both cleanings and exams are designed to spot minor problems for early treatment as well as to prevent dental-related issues from starting in the first place. Patients of all ages should have regular, bi-annual exams and cleanings. For small children, it’s important to get them into the office as soon as you see their first baby teeth coming in or at least by their second birthday.

What are the benefits of going for a routine Dental Cleaning and Exam?

When you follow a carefully scheduled preventative care routine, you’re on the road to taking good care of your dental health. You will be less likely to deal with cavities and other intraoral problems because issues are spotted beforehand before they’re allowed to get worse. Furthermore, you’ll will have less chance of having bad breath because your teeth are being cleaned professionally twice a year. Hardened calculus, tartar and staining can be impossible to remove even with the best hygiene products and this buildup can cause severe halitosis (bad breath).

What can you expect during the procedure for a Dental Cleaning and Exam?

You will first come into our office and have dental x-rays taken. The x-rays are part of your preventative care as they help us to identify and diagnose certain conditions. You will then receive a cleaning by our hygienist. The hygienist will carefully measure your gum pockets to check for signs of gum disease and gingivitis. The doctor will then come in to perform an exam. We will check for signs of decay, loose restorative work as well as oral cancer. Both the exam and cleaning take no longer than about an hour in our office.

If you need a cleaning and dental exam, we are here to help answer any questions you may have regarding these procedures and to get you in for an appointment.