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 and gums, 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 WHEN WE MISS TEETH CLEANINGS?

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 gum disease.
• Negative effects on cardiovascular and overall health.
• Gingivitis or advanced gum disease and bone loss.
• Cavities in your teeth, that get bigger over time.

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, 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—Our team 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 our staff as you give your medical history.
• Oral Screening and Dental Exams—Dr. Erny will complete an oral cancer screening for symptoms of cancer or other pathology, and examine your teeth for decay.  Dr. Erny loves to chat at your cleaning visit, so if you have any dental questions or need a treatment plan we will have time reserved for that during these visits.
• Gum Evaluation and Teeth Cleanings—Our hygienist will evaluate your gums, measure your gum pockets, 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.

1. Brush twice (or 3 times!) daily. Floss once (or twice!) daily (after meals and before bed).
2. Have dental cleanings and checkups twice a year.
3. Eat fewer sugary and acidic foods.
4. Use an over the counter fluoride rinse. 
5. Drink water rather than sugary drinks; don’t “nurse” sugary drinks.

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, which removes any remaining plaque and stain as it dissolves into a finer texture, leaves 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 a routine teeth cleaning every six months.

The procedures that are sometimes called “cleanings” are actually periodontal treatments:

• Full Mouth Debridement—a pre-cleaning for those with severe calculus build up that can be seen in the mouth and on x-rays and cause inflammed gums and bleeding
• Scaling and Root Planing—a deep cleaning for those with early stages of periodontal disease (gum disease) and the resulting bone loss
• Perio Maintenance—a periodontal cleaning for those with a history of periodontal disease (gum disease) and the resulting bone loss.   Maintenance visits are 3-4 times per year.  

THE COST OF TEETH CLEANING

Most dental insurance policies include benefits that cover teeth cleanings. After all, not maintaining good oral hygiene will most 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 up front to help you navigate your insurance benefits. Our main objective is to help you have a successful oral health experience.