Teeth Cleaning & Dental Checkups

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:

• Healthier bones and gums.
• Longer lasting teeth.
• Early detection and treatment of cancer and other oral health conditions.
• Beautiful, healthy smiles.

What happens teeth cleanings are missed?

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 infection and gangrene.

What to Expect at Your First Checkup:

Our dental cleaning appointments are about 45 minutes long. 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—We will gather dental and medical histories so that 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 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—Dr Clement will perform an oral cancer/lesion screening for symptoms of cancer and other illnesses, such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes, he will also examine your teeth for decay.

• Gum Evaluation and Teeth Cleanings—Our hygienist will evaluate your gums, measuring periodontal pockets with a probe, and clean your teeth by identifying and removing areas of tartar, plaque, and calculus using hand scaling, polishing, and ultrasonic (water and vibration) scaling.

• 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.

1. Brush twice and floss once daily.
2. Have dental cleanings and checkups twice a year.
3. Eat fewer sugary and acidic foods.
4. Use fluoride products- which make teeth more resistant to decay

Are there different kinds of teeth cleanings?

Yes. There are several types of dental cleanings, and the right one depends on your oral health needs.

• Prophylaxis—This is the routine cleaning most people receive every six months when gums are healthy.
• Full Mouth Debridement—This is a 2-part cleaning for those with severe calculus build up and inflammation.
• Scaling and Root Planing—This a deep cleaning for those with early stages of gum disease. Often, anesthetic can be used to make this cleaning more comfortable and the mouth is cleaned by Quadrants resulting in 3-5 appointments.
• Perio Maintenance—This is a periodontal cleaning for those with a history of gum disease. Sometimes it is recommended that cleanings are done 3-4 times per year.