Dental Checkups & Cleanings – Richardson, TX
Preventive Care to Protect and Preserve Your Smile
You might feel tempted to skip your next checkup if you haven’t noticed any immediate issues with your teeth or gums. However, oral issues, such as tooth decay and periodontal disease, often start small and go unnoticed or untreated, which allows them to escalate.
Implementing a twice-daily at-home dental hygiene routine can help avoid this, but there’s no guarantee you’ll never have a problem. Thankfully, Dr. Hsia offers preventive care to protect and preserve your smile with standard checkups and cleanings. Continue reading to learn more about this standard service!
Why Choose Jupiter Family Dental of Richardson for Dental Checkups & Cleanings?
- Office Hours Available on Saturday
- Welcome Patients of All Ages
- Advanced Technology to Enhance Comfort & Accuracy
Why are Regular Dental Checkups & Cleanings Important?
Oral issues, such as cavities and periodontal problems, occur when bacteria in your mouth proliferate and erode your enamel or invade your connective tissue, leading to decay and disease. Brushing and flossing twice daily helps remove harmful germs and plaque buildup to avoid common concerns, but it’s still possible to develop a dilemma.
Meanwhile, our team in Richardson has the experience and state-of-the-art equipment to quickly identify any areas of concern and devise an appropriate treatment plan to address them. Furthermore, routine maintenance strengthens your teeth and gums to help avoid the need for more complex and costly repairs later on.
What to Expect During a Dental Checkup
It might vary somewhat based on your unique circumstances, but usually you can expect the following steps to take place during your checkup:
- Visual inspection. We’ll examine your teeth, gums, bite alignment, and any existing dental work to ensure everything functions as intended.
- Oral cancer screening. We will also check the soft tissues of your mouth for any growths or changes that might indicate the presence of oral cancer.
- We take X-rays at least once annually to ensure no problems have developed beneath the visible surfaces of your enamel and soft tissues.
- Treatment plan. If we find any areas of concern, we’ll provide a customized solution to address them.
We also include time for you to ask any questions you might have about your current dental condition or to enhance your at-home dental hygiene routine.
What to Expect During a Dental Cleaning
Once your exam is complete, we’ll provide a professional cleaning to help maintain a beautiful, healthy grin. This typically involves the following:
- Removing plaque and tartar. We have the experience and instruments to carefully remove even the most stubborn buildup to help prevent cavities and gum disease.
- We’ll also floss your teeth to ensure no bacteria remains hidden in your connective tissues.
- Polishing enamel. Once your mouth has been thoroughly cleaned, we’ll polish your enamel to remove more recent surface stains and send you home with a smile that sparkles!
Checkups & Cleanings FAQs
How Long Does a Dental Exam Take?
Assuming it follows a standard format, a dental exam takes ten to fifteen minutes. That said, the exact timing will depend on the patient.
Remember, a dentist’s checkup work isn’t instant. It involves many steps – visual exam of teeth and gums, oral cancer screening, etc. – that each last a few minutes at least. Your checkup’s phases could even run longer than usual if your smile is in bad shape. In the latter case, the dentist would also take time to suggest and outline potential treatments for you.
Do Dental Hygienists Do Professional Teeth Cleanings?
Yes, dental hygienists do “pro” teeth cleanings for their patients. They’ll even polish your enamel as part of the overall process.
Note that dental hygienists have much knowledge and training. Given their education, they’re qualified to take dental X-rays, apply fluoride and sealants, and conduct oral exams. It’s only natural that "pro" teeth cleanings are part of their skill set.
In fact, these hygienists don’t just clean your teeth directly. They also contribute indirectly by teaching you good oral care practices, helping you keep your smile clean at home.
What Does My Dentist Screen for at Routine Checkups?
Dentists don’t just screen for one thing at dental checkups. On the contrary, they check your mouth for a wide range of issues and conditions.
Some of the oral problems screened for are “traditional” ones. For instance, a dentist will look at your mouth – either directly or via X-rays – for signs of tooth decay, gum disease, chipped teeth, etc. Should they find any telltale signs, they’ll then inform you and suggest suitable solutions. (This final step helps you avoid extensive treatments down the line.)
Dentists will also screen you for lesser-known conditions. One example would be oral cancer, which often manifests symptoms in or around your gum tissues. Another is damage to existing restorations like dental crowns; such prosthetics should be replaced when they’re too worn out.
Why Do Dentists Recommend Fluoride Treatment After Dental Cleanings?
Dentists suggest fluoride treatment because it enhances the results of dental cleanings. Through the procedure, your teeth are even less likely to suffer decay after they’ve been cleaned.
It all comes down to fluoride’s impact on teeth. When this mineral is put in your mouth, it reduces tooth sensitivity and strengthens enamel. That means a fluoride treatment will greatly reduce your risk of cavities, which occur when bacteria erode your smile’s top layer.
A side benefit of post-cleaning fluoride work is that it’s quick. Unlike other dental services, it only takes a few seconds as the hygienist applies fluoridated gel to your teeth. The treatment won’t add much time at all to your overall visit.
