What Should I Expect During My Dental Cleaning?

At California Dental Group, we can’t stress enough just how important it is for our patients to get regular dental exams and cleanings. They give us a chance to find any issues early before they become serious, painful, expensive issues. We suggest that most patients come for a dental exam and cleaning twice each year, though patients with more serious dental issues may come more often. Read on to learn more about what you can expect at these cleanings and then reach out to us at (800) 407-0161 to make your appointment.

What to expect during the dental exam

When you first come visit us, you’ll get a thorough dental exam. At future visits, you’ll get check-up exams. They include:

• X-rays that can show us if there is an issue with decay, cysts, tumors, or bone loss. We can also see via x-rays if there are issues with the position of your teeth or their roots.
• We’ll also evaluate you for gum disease. This involves taking a close look at your gums and the bone around your teeth. If we find signs of periodontal disease then we will discuss your options with you.
• Screening for oral cancer. We’ll take a look at your lips, tongue, throat, the tissues in your mouth, face, neck, and your gums to see if there are signs of oral cancer.
• Examining for tooth decay is completed with special dental instruments. We look at every surface of your tooth to see if there is decay.
• If you have restorations, such as crowns, fillings, or other restorative work, then we’ll check them thoroughly to make sure they’re in good shape.

Note that some of these steps may vary based on your unique needs but essentially these are the steps most people can expect.

What to expect during a professional dental cleaning

When you come to California Dental Group, a registered dental hygienist will complete your professional cleaning. They will start by removing plaque, which is a sticky, nearly invisible film that can form on the teeth. Plaque is actually alive and is essentially a growing village of bacteria that eats food debris on your teeth and sometimes under your gums. When plaque feeds, it produces toxins that can then affect your gums and eventually cause gum disease.

Next, we’ll remove tarter. Tarter is plaque that’s hardened on the teeth due to being left there for a long period of time. Once it’s hardened, it is attached to the teeth very firmly. The only way to remove it is with special dental instruments. The final step will be to polish your teeth. We use professional grade polishing equipment that can help remove stains and get rid of any existing plaque.

Make your appointment for a cleaning and exam today

As you can see, the dental cleaning and exam are extremely important. We can’t stress how essential it is for you to visit us twice a year, but even if it’s been a decade or more since you’ve gotten dental treatment, today is a great day to call us at (800) 407-0161 for an appointment.