Dental Exam and Teeth Cleaning
Comprehensive Dental Exams and Cleanings for Lasting Oral Health
Healthy teeth and gums play an essential role in your overall well-being. In addition to brushing and flossing, the best way to maintain your oral health and keep your smile bright is by scheduling a teeth cleaning and dental checkup with our team at Hamby Family Dental Center.
The Importance of Regular Dental Exams
Studies show that oral health is closely tied to your overall health. The American Dental Association recommends a professional dental checkup and cleaning every six months to prevent gum disease and decay from forming. If there is a problem, your dentist or hygienist will be able to catch it early and treat it quickly. After all, a small cavity can be filled easily, but if left undetected, can lead to a broken tooth, infection, and even tooth loss.
Additionally, a comprehensive dental exam sets a baseline of your health to catch any early signs of serious illness that could go undetected otherwise. Oral cancers can be found early during routine cleaning examinations. Around one in 60 men and one in 140 women will be diagnosed with oral cancer during their lifetime. When caught early, oral cancers can be successfully treated.
Exams to Protect Your Tooth and Gum Health
Your dentist will be watching for signs and symptoms of the following illnesses that can be found during a thorough oral evaluation:
- Diabetes
- Leukemia
- Blood pressure
- Cardiovascular problems
- Oral cancer
- Immune abnormalities
- Sinus problems
- Advanced gum disease
Benefits of Dental Exams and Cleanings
Preventive dental care is important to your overall health, your smile, and more. Getting dental checkups and cleanings is a cornerstone of comprehensive dental care that also includes your daily dental hygiene. Here are some of the key benefits of having regular dental exams.
Preventing Tooth Decay
A dental cleaning prevents tooth decay by removing plaque and tartar. Plaque is a sticky bacterial film that covers your tooth surfaces. Over time, if not removed, plaque becomes tartar. Tartar is much more serious and difficult to remove. It can cause tooth decay and gum inflammation.
Removing Plaque and Tartar
Getting your teeth cleaned professionally removes plaque that may progress to tartar buildup on your teeth. Using a special scraper tool, the dental hygienist cleans and removes any plaque or tartar that is along the gum line or between the teeth.
Preventing Gum Disease
Regular cleanings and checkups help prevent gum disease that can lead to tooth loss. Gingivitis can destroy the gum and bone, the anchors and support of your teeth. Gingivitis can lead to periodontal disease, where calculus or tartar builds up on the gum line and under our gums, which contributes to inflammation.
Improving Bad Breath
A dental exam and cleaning removes the bacteria that causes bad breath. Bacteria that accumulates on teeth becomes plaque and tartar, which can lead to gum disease and cause chronic bad breath.
Minimizing Needs for Restorative Dentistry
By removing plaque and tartar from the gum line, dental cleanings minimize the need for restorative dentistry. Additionally, x-rays that are taken regularly at dental exams help dentists detect cavities, bone loss, and other issues that may require restorative dentistry.
Our Comprehensive Dental Exams
The initial visit to our Fuquay-Varina dentist office is a comprehensive exam to assess your oral health, take thorough notes, diagnose any issues, and create a treatment plan.
The oral dental exam Includes:
- Visual examination
- Diagnostic X-rays
- Teeth cleaning
- Charting
- Periodontal probing
- Diagnosis
- Treatment recommendations
After the initial visit, follow-up cleanings and checkups are much quicker, generally.
During a regular dental checkup, your hygienist will perform the following:
- Screen for oral cancer: Identify mouth cancer in the early stages
- Evaluate gum disease: Look for signs of periodontal disease
- Check for cavities and tooth decay
- Examine existing restorations
Professional Dental Cleaning
Brushing and flossing regularly are necessary for healthy teeth and to prevent bad breath. While brushing at home twice a day and flossing get the majority of plaque and particles, it’s possible to miss areas, particularly in hard-to-reach spaces, such as beneath the gum line, the backs of the teeth, and behind the molars. Regular teeth cleaning from your hygienist will ensure your teeth are cleaned in even the hardest-to-reach areas.
Our experienced dental hygienists will also take panoramic X-rays to examine your anterior (front) and posterior (back) teeth. In addition, we’ll conduct bite-wing X-rays to determine proximal decay and diagnosis.
As part of the teeth cleaning at your dental exam, your hygienist will:
- Scrape away tartar
- Remove plaque, even below the gum line
- Polish your teeth
Accepting Insurance
Dental insurance policies typically offer some type of coverage for routine exams and teeth cleaning. While every plan varies, Hamby Family Dental Center aims to make your visit easy and affordable which is why we work with a variety of insurers and offer financing solutions.
Schedule Your Dental Exam at Our Fuquay-Varina Dentist Office
Since 1995, Hamby Family Dental Center has proudly served the area, performing routine teeth cleanings and exams for families and individuals. Our team of professionals wants to help you maintain your health.
Schedule a cleaning by filling out the form below or calling 919-552-2431.