Exams, Check-Ups & Teeth Cleaning
Consistency is key to keeping teeth healthy. Regular dental exams and cleanings keeps plaque from building up and damaging your smile, and the appointments allow your dentist and hygienist to detect and correct issues before they become serious.
About Exams, Check-Ups & Teeth Cleaning
Who do you see during an exam and cleaning? Dental hygienists are professionally trained to clean teeth and provide guidance on their care. Dentists specialize in caring for and treating teeth and gums.
What's Included
A routine dental exam includes looking for tooth decay and signs of gum disease with the goal of treating these issues early before they progress. The hygienist will also check your teeth for plaque and carefully remove it. This process reduces your chance of developing cavities over time and helps keep your smile looking its best.
Some exam visits may also include X-rays of your teeth. The dentist can use these images to identify problem areas in your mouth and visually see cavities.
Top-Notch Preventative Care
Issues with oral health can lead to tooth loss and other health problems over time. Regular exams, cleanings, and positive brushing habits help keep teeth and gums healthy, reducing the risk of these other issues. That’s why Beam Dental provides top-notch preventative care, as well as clear insurance options and memberships that make care more accessible.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should you get your teeth cleaned?
We recommend having your teeth cleaned every 6 months to remove plaque and tartar buildup and give us a chance to examine your teeth and gums.
Some patients may be advised to come in for additional cleanings throughout the year. This typically applies to individuals who are at an increased risk of gingivitis or periodontal disease or those with existing chronic diseases that impact oral health. Pregnant patients may require additional cleanings and exams as well.
When in doubt, ask your dentist how often you should schedule teeth cleaning appointments.
What does a dental cleaning include?
There are several steps to a teeth cleaning visit. The dental hygienist will examine your teeth and gums for signs of problems. They’ll spend much of the visit removing tartar and plaque using a tool called a scaler. Then they’ll use a prophylaxis paste and electric brush to deep clean and polish your teeth.
Just as you do at home, the hygienist will also floss between your teeth to make sure nothing is left between them and to look for signs of bleeding gums. They may also use a fluoride rinse to help strengthen your teeth against developing cavities.
The dentist will provide a summary of your oral health and answer questions and provide recommendations for tooth care at home.
What happens during a dental exam?
A comprehensive dental exam checks your oral health holistically. It typically includes a cleaning to remove tartar and plaque and floss and may include X-rays so dental professionals can look at your jaw and bite alignment. They will also look for signs of gum disease and tooth decay and signs of oral cancer. They’ll also review previous dental work to verify that fillings or other treatments are still in good condition.
New patients can expect to have X-rays done, and the dentist will do a more in-depth examination between individual teeth and along the gumline for a more complete picture of their condition. The dentist and hygienist will also ask about previous issues to develop a maintenance and treatment plan moving forward.
Stay on top of your oral health by finding a practice that provides dental cleanings near you.
