What to Expect During Your Routine Dental Exam & Cleaning Appointment?

What to Expect During Your Routine Dental Exam & Cleaning Appointment?

Jun 01, 2023

What is a Dental Exam and Cleaning?

A routine dental exam and cleaning aim to determine the overall status of your oral health to create a personalized treatment to address any concerns detected. Although most dentists have a predetermined process, this article explains a step-by-step guide to help you learn what to expect.

What to Expect During Dental Exams and Cleanings?

After scheduling your appointment for a dental checkup near you, expect to spend at least an hour with the dentist at their office. However, there is no reason to express anxiousness because the procedure is non-invasive. If you are visiting the dentist for the first time, the meeting benefits you immensely and the dental team to put together a treatment and prevention plan for you to prevent the future need for therapeutic services over the long term.

Why Do You Need Dental Exams and Cleanings?

Dentists and the American Dental Association recommend dental exams and cleanings at six monthly intervals for everyone, including children and older people. The routine visits to the dentist help to:

  1. Discuss the condition of your oral health with the staff, asking a series of questions to learn about the potential problems you may have with your teeth and mouth.
  2. Answer questions about your goals and why you visit the dentist for your dental checkup.
  3. Provide a history of your dental and overall health and any problems you have developed over the last six months.
  4. Inquire about functionality and cosmetic concerns if any bother you.
  5. Discuss changes in your dental and overall health since your last visit to the dentist.

What is the Procedure of Getting Dental Exam And Cleaning?

Getting dental exams & cleanings typically begin with an oral examination:

1) Dental X-Rays

If you are visiting the dentist for the first time or after a year since your last exam, expect the dentist to take x-rays to determine The dental exam and cleaning procedure to ascertain the condition of your oral cavity and detect cavities on and between your teeth.

2) Dental Exam

After taking x-rays and getting a clear view of your teeth and oral cavity, our dentist in Plano, TX physically examines your teeth and gums to pinpoint any anomalies like cavities or gum disease, which they notice and recommend treatments to inhibit the problems from aggravating. Dentists recommend fillings for cavities or deep cleanings if they observe signs of gingivitis or gum disease to ensure you control and reverse the condition as soon as possible.

3) Oral Cancer Screenings

Expect the dentist to look at all areas of your teeth and mouth from the interiors and the exteriors looking for signs of red and white patches, lumps, and bumps on your cheek linings, gums, tongue, head, and neck that might indicate oral cancer especially if you are in the high-risk category with excessive exposure to sunlight, smoking or tobacco use in any form, etc. Oral cancer screenings do not indicate you are affected by the devastating condition. It is a preventive measure to ensure the dentist protects your dental and overall health simultaneously because they are the medical professionals you often see.

After completing the dental exam, our dentist hands you to the dental hygienist for teeth cleaning. The teeth cleaning process is not scary and is completed by the hygienist in fewer than 30 minutes. The cleaning process includes the following:

4) Dental Plaque and Tartar Removal

Dental cleanings by the hygienist aim to eliminate dental plaque and tartar buildup constantly forming on your teeth regardless of how often you brush and floss them. The hygienist will use dental instruments like a tiny mirror and a scaler to remove dental plaque on and between your teeth and hardened tartar beneath your gum line to prevent gum disease from affecting you.

5) Brushing and Polishing

After dental plaque and tartar removal, the hygienist will brush your teeth with an electric toothbrush and gritty toothpaste to remove any excess plaque between your teeth and give them a polishing to make your smile appear brighter. You may not like the grinding sounds of the gritty toothpaste, but it helps polish tooth enamel and eliminates harmful germs from your mouth.

6) Flossing

Whether you floss daily at home or not, the hygienist will floss your teeth using suggested techniques, getting deep between your teeth and gums to determine whether they bleed. Consider the flossing as a demonstration to improve your practices utilizing this tool to gain maximum benefits.

7) Fluoride Treatment

The teeth cleaning ends by giving you a fluoride treatment to protect your teeth against cavities by strengthening your tooth enamel until your next visit for another dental exam and cleaning.

How to Prepare for Dental Exams & Cleanings?

Dental exams & cleanings do not require intensive preparation besides carrying papers and arriving for your appointment at the scheduled hour. However, it helps if you prepare for it in advance because it helps you gain more knowledge about your oral and general health. Therefore we suggest the following when preparing for your routine dental visit.

  1. Schedule your appointment with our dentist near you for a routine checkup.
  2. Have in hand your medical records and a list of all medications you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines.
  3. Prepare a list of questions you want to ask the dentist or hygienist.
  4. Dental exams & cleanings are not scary and are completed by the dental practice in fewer than 60 minutes. Therefore there is no reason to be anxious or fearful, making it essential to schedule your appointment when you are least stressed.
  5. Consider the visit to your dentist beneficial for your dental and overall health.
  6. Remember to schedule your next exam and cleaning appointment during your dentist visit. You will likely receive a reminder via a dentist’s text message on your scheduled date.

Get Dental Exam & Cleaning Near You

Dental exams & cleanings are essential for everyone, including children and older people, as a preventive measure to help maintain your oral health in optimal shape to avoid unnecessary expenses that might befall you if you don’t consider the matter with the seriousness it deserves. Are you looking to get dental exam and teeth cleaning in Plano, TX? Call us or schedule your appointment with SS Dental to get dental exams & cleanings in Plano TX at six monthly intervals to ensure your oral health is in excellent shape.