Dental Exams Cleanings

What are dental exams and cleanings?

A dental exam is necessary to find intra-oral problems and create a treatment plan specific to an individual patient. Exams can check for cavities, signs of infection, problematic restorations, and even oral cancer. A cleaning is performed by our hygienist, who will remove built-up tartar and stains on the teeth. Cleanings involve checking the gums for signs of both gingivitis and gum disease.
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Why Are Dental Exams And Cleanings Needed?

Both cleanings and exams are needed to keep your mouth healthy and clean. When tartar builds up on the teeth, it’s nearly impossible to remove this hard buildup without causing damage to your smile. Likewise, an exam helps to find issues early on so that treatment is easier and less invasive. All patients, of every age, should have exams and cleanings done routinely throughout the year.
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How Often Should Dental Exams And Cleanings Be Done?

We recommend that patients have both cleanings and exams done every six months. Six month intervals between visits allow us to keep track of your dental health, and monitor any changes that we find. Your exam and cleaning appointment takes just about an hour in our office. We can pre-schedule the appointment to make it even more convenient for you.

What Happens During Dental Exams And Cleanings?

First, our hygienist will take x-rays of your teeth, which will be used as part of the diagnostic process. The hygienist then works to clean the teeth, removing built-up tartar, stains, and other debris. The teeth are flossed and polished to a high shine. Next, the hygienist will check your gums by measuring the depth of the pockets around each tooth.

This helps us determine if you have gingivitis or gum disease, and we can provide treatment options as needed. Dr. Ghosh will then come into the room for an examination, and to check for cavities, problem restorations, oral cancer, and other issues.

If you think you might need an exam and cleaning, or want to learn more about both procedures, call us today and we can further assist you by scheduling an appointment.