What to Expect from a Dental Cleaning and Examinations

A dental cleaning and examinations are one of the best ways you can help prevent having serious oral health problems now or in the future. When you come in for a regularly scheduled dentist cleaning and examinations, you give us the opportunity to do two specific things.

First, we are able to give your teeth a deep cleaning, which allows us to remove the plaque and tartar buildup in those hard-to-reach spots your toothbrush is not able to clean. Second, we are able to do a full dental examination, which allows us to catch and treat any potential dental problems early. Therefore, we can reduce any possible discomfort that may occur when you have to deal with gum disease or a cavity that is significantly further along.

Frequent Visits to Your Dentist Are Best

Important Health Information You Need to Know About:

Dental cleanings and examinations are something that dentists around the country strongly encourage their patients to do. We recommend that you come in for one at least once every six months. This is the timeline recommended by the American Dental Association and by our knowledgeable staff to ensure that your teeth remain clean, healthy, and disease free.

Standard dental cleaning and examinations run approximately 30 minutes to an hour, are very easy and are typically stress-free. The more frequent cleanings you receive, the less work that will be necessary and the less time you will need to spend with us in the chair.

What Happens During Dental Cleanings and Exams?

Dental cleanings and examinations are a very specific type of visit. We like to schedule these well in advance so we know when you are coming in. When you come in for dental cleaning, you will go through a simple and efficient process.

Getting a teeth cleaning:

First, we will use an ultrasonic instrument that is rounded and kept in constant motion once it is in your mouth. The settings of an ultrasonic instrument are adjustable for your maximum comfort. The purpose of this ultrasonic instrument is to dislodge and remove larger pieces of tartar and plaque that build up on your teeth over time.

Plaque is that yellow stuff you find on your teeth when they are particularly dirty. Unfortunately, plaque contains a lot of bacteria, which can cause gum disease and tooth decay if you do not remove it repeatedly with daily brushing and flossing. You will also need routine dental cleanings and examinations.

Next….

Once all the larger pieces of plaque have been dislodged, we will use a handheld instrument so we can scale the teeth and remove any tartar close to the gum line. Once the surface of the tooth is smooth, we will then polish it.

We use a slow-speed handpiece that contains a prophylaxis paste, a gritty toothpaste-like solution, which slowly spins on the teeth to create a shiny and smooth surface. When we finish polishing your teeth, we may apply fluoride as the final step in the cleaning process.

What do dental exams include?

Dental examinations include checking your teeth for soft spots, taking X-rays, and an oral cancer examination. If we notice anything out of the ordinary, we will let you know and then make treatment recommendations. 

For more information or to schedule an appointment with Gentle Care Family Dentistry: Marieve Rodriguez DMD, request an appointment in our Wilmington dental office here: https://drmarieverodriguez.com. Or call us at (302) 655-5862.