Teeth Cleaning & Checkups

Cleaning

Preventative Care

In addition to brushing and flossing your teeth daily, you can help protect your oral health by seeing your dentist regularly for checkups. It’s recommended that most people get a dental checkup every six months, but your dentist may recommend more frequent or fewer visits, depending on your dental health history.

What to Expect at Your Routine Teeth Cleaning

Dental cleanings are crucial in maintaining optimal health for your teeth and gums. When you visit us at Denison Dentistry for a routine dental cleaning, one of our talented and compassionate dental hygienists will scale your teeth by removing any plaque and tartar that cause cavities. The primary purpose of having your teeth cleaned is to prevent or delay the progression of periodontal diseases. Here is a brief overview of what you can expect during your routine cleaning with us:

In the beginning, a dental hygienist will use certain instruments to carefully remove any plaque or tartar that has built up on your teeth. That is an extremely important step as we are able to remove this bacteria that brushing and flossing otherwise cannot.

Following, your dental hygienist may use an “air polisher” (an air, water, and flavored baking soda spray) to remove stains and soften deposits. Then, they will polish using a fluoride solution and floss. We use this particular polishing paste for everyone, not only because it strengthens the teeth against decay but also because it has a proven antibacterial effect, which helps to prevent periodontal disease.

Depending on your oral health needs, we may recommend a fluoride treatment. This will help strengthen the enamel of your teeth.

You will be given personalized home care instructions and a final mouthwash. If we find any cavities or gum disease, we will discuss further treatment options.

What to Expect During your Dental Check-up

Dental cleanings can be done with minimal, if any, discomfort to the patient. We want your cleanings and check-ups to be a pleasant experience. Your professional cleaning visits also include a short dental examination or check-up. The examination includes:

We believe your oral health impacts your overall health and wellness, which is why we discuss your complete medical history to make sure we have a complete picture.

We will perform a brief oral cancer screening that takes no more than 5 minutes, but is extremely important in early detection.

Dr. Denison will examine your entire mouth and look for any signs of decay, and periodontal (gum) disease. He will also examine your bite and your TMJ (Temporomandibular joint) to determine if you have any malocclusions or disorders. We always encourage you to ask as many questions as you’d like during this process!

It is recommended that you have an X-ray taken of your mouth every 6-36 months. The frequency will depend on if you require any additional monitoring and the type of dental issues you may experience.

Benefits of Professional Teeth Cleanings

There are a number of benefits to staying on top of regular dental visits, including:

  • Reduce your risk of oral health issues. By having a professional teeth cleaning, you are reducing your risk of developing cavities or periodontal (gum) disease.
  • Maintain good health. Studies show there is a connection between your oral health and your overall health. They can help lessen the likelihood of developing serious complications such as heart attack, stroke, diabetes and dementia. 
  • Enjoy a whiter, brighter smile. Our team takes pride in seeing our patients leave our office with pearly white smiles.
  • Prevent halitosis (bad breath). Believe it or not, removing tartar and plaque doesn’t just help ward off cavities–it also prevents bad breath!
  • Preserve your teeth for a lifetime. Preventative dental care is key to preventing issues from forming or becoming more severe.

We Look Forward to Helping You Achieve a Healthy Beautiful Smile!