In today’s busy world, sometimes it seems like you’ll never get everything done. With such a long list of tasks to accomplish every day, you may wonder when you will find time to go to the dentist. It is recommended that you get a dental exam and cleaning every six months to maintain the best oral health possible. Because a dental exam and cleaning are the necessary preventative treatment to avoid dental issues, it’s best to schedule a regular appointment with your dentist in Paducah, KY.
What to Expect During Your Dental Exam
When you arrive at our office for your dental appointment, you can expect us to conduct a comprehensive examination to assess your oral health. Your dental cleaning is part of the comprehensive dental exam. During the exam, we are looking for much more than issues with your teeth. We will:
- Review your dental records, medical history, and medications
- Take x-rays to check for any problems that we can’t see with our eyes
- Take intraoral photos to get a complete view of the inside of your mouth
- Conduct a thorough examination of your teeth, gums, lips, tongue, cheeks, and jaw
- Look for visible signs of tooth decay or gum disease
- Administer a complete tooth cleaning and polishing to remove plaque
- Visit with you about your dental habits and any concerns you may have
- Decide on a treatment plan moving forward
What to Expect During Your Dental Cleaning
One step of the dental exam is dental cleaning. Your dental hygienist will administer the dental cleaning. All you have to do is sit back, relax, and wait for your teeth to be the cleanest they have been since the last time you visited our office. For the dental cleaning, we will:
- Conduct a physical examination of your mouth—For this step, the dental hygienist will inspect your teeth and mouth, looking for signs of tooth decay or other oral health issues.
- Remove plaque and tartar— The hygienist will use special dental tools to remove plaque and tartar buildup from your gum line and between your teeth. You may hear a scraping sound during this part of the cleaning, but the sound means your teeth are getting cleaner.
- Brush with special toothpaste—Next, the dental hygienist will use a special electric toothbrush and gritty toothpaste to remove any remnants of plaque and tartar. The toothpaste used in our office is acceptable for your twice-a-year visits without harming your tooth enamel.
- Floss your teeth—Now that your teeth are clean and polished, the hygienist will expertly floss your teeth for you. If there are any areas where you need to do a better job with your home care, the hygienist will give you some helpful flossing tips to avoid issues with your gums.
- Ask you to rinse your teeth—Now that the cleaning process is complete, you can rinse your mouth to remove any toothpaste remnants or debris from your mouth.
- Give you fluoride treatment—Last but not least, you will be given a liquid fluoride treatment to swish around in your mouth; this fluoride helps protect your teeth from decay until your next dental cleaning.
That’s it!
What Are the Benefits of Regular Dental Exams and Cleanings?
The benefits of visiting the dentist twice yearly for dental exams and cleanings are tremendous. For one, your oral health is connected to your overall health, so a healthy mouth helps you keep a healthy body. The other benefits include the following:
- Reducing the risk of cavities
- Protecting and strengthening the tooth’s enamel
- Lowering the risk of gum disease
- Helping with early diagnosis and treatment of any dental issues
Tips for Making the Most of Your Dental Appointment
Consider the complete exam and cleaning special from Smile Station Family Dentistry. With this special, you will receive a complete set of x-rays, a thorough dental examination from Dr. Bridges, including an oral cancer screening, a basic cleaning by one of our dental hygienists, and a treatment plan. Although fluoride is extra, a toothbrush and floss are also included. You can get all this for only $198.
If you want to make the most out of your time in our office, we suggest you consider the following tips:
- When you call to schedule, make sure you understand our check-in procedures.
- If you are experiencing any issues in-between appointments, be sure to contact us.
- Please make a note of any questions you think of so you will be sure to remember to ask us.
- Let us know if you have any changes to your medical history.
- Tell us about any anxiety issues you have concerning dental care.
- Bring any documents or insurance information with you that we may need.
Are You Interested in a Dental Exam and Cleaning in Paducah, KY?
If you are ready to schedule an appointment with us, call Smile Station Family Dentistry today and let us help you achieve your best smile. You can reach us at (270) 408-1234. We look forward to hearing from you.
