Dental Checkups & Cleanings – Arlington, TX
Keep Your Grin Healthy and Gorgeous
It might seem tempting to wait until you have an oral health issue before seeking help from a dentist. However, doing this will set you up for painful and preventable infections that can cause permanent damage and must be addressed with potentially costly restorative treatments. Here’s a quick look at how regular dental checkups and cleanings from our Arlington office can help you keep your smile healthy, beautiful, and comfortable for life, but please feel free to contact our office if you’d like to learn more or schedule your next appointment.
Why Choose Smile Dental of Arlington for Dental Checkups & Cleanings?
- Keep Your Smile Clean and Beautiful
- Prevent Destructive Oral Infections
- Dental Insurance Welcomed
Why Are Regular Dental Checkups & Cleanings Important?
The American Dental Association recommends seeing your dentist every six months for routine exams and cleanings. These appointments allow our skilled staff to carefully monitor your oral health, address problems in their early stages, and advise you as to how to practice better oral hygiene at home. Regular checkups at our Arlington office can help you prevent painful and destructive oral health problems like cavities and gum disease and save vast sums of money by sparing you from missing work to address these issues with expensive restorative treatments.
What to Expect During a Dental Checkup
During your dental checkup, Dr. Atluri and her skilled team will:
- Carefully inspect your teeth and gums for signs of damage and infection.
- Screen your soft tissues for potential indicators of oral cancer. If we find anything concerning, we’ll refer you to an appropriate specialist for diagnosis.
- Take dental X-rays usually about once a year.
- Design a customized treatment plan if any oral health problems are detected.
- Answer any questions about your oral health and hygiene.
- Review and update your medical history and list of medications.
What to Expect During a Dental Cleaning
It’s impossible for you to properly clean some of the areas of your mouth at home even if you have exemplary oral hygiene habits, so it’s important to receive professional cleanings twice a year at our Arlington office to prevent nasty oral infections. Using specialized dental cleaning tools, Dr. Atluri will clean plaque and tartar from your gumline and the surfaces of your teeth to reduce your risk of cavities, periodontal disease, and bad breath. Then, she will polish and floss your teeth and remove minor surface stains from your enamel.
Checkups & Cleanings FAQs
How long does a dental exam take?
A regular dental exam is completed by your dentist, and typically includes an oral cancer screening, as well as a visual examination of your teeth, gums, tongue, and other oral tissues.
Your dentist will also examine your teeth for signs of decay, inspect your bite to ensure you have no bite problems, as well as address any other concerns you might have during your routine visit.
They will also examine any of your existing dental work such as crowns, bridges, or dentures, so be sure to bring them along with you if you have them.
Altogether, the examination portion of your preventive checkup and cleaning should take between ten and fifteen minutes, but this can vary depending on the patient and the dentist.
How long does a regular dental cleaning take?
If you don’t have any preexisting issues like gum disease and you visit your dentist regularly, you’ll probably only need a regular dental cleaning. With proper at-home oral hygiene, your cleaning should only last about 30 minutes but be sure to brush and floss before you arrive.
If you require a deeper cleaning, your appointment may take longer, but your dentist will discuss this with you prior to beginning.
How often do I need to get dental X-rays?
In most cases, dental X-rays are taken during your routine checkups every six months and only take a few minutes to capture.
There are three different types of dental X-rays taken at different times.
- Bitewings are typically done annually to detect cavities.
- Periapical X-rays assist your dentist in the planning and identification of the roots of the teeth and are taken as needed.
- Panoramic X-rays are taken every three to five years to help spot developmental issues, orthodontic concerns, and to evaluate wisdom teeth.
Ultimately, the type of X-rays you’ll need depends on the last time you received X-rays, whether you require any dental treatments, and if you have any concerns such as jaw or tooth pain you’d like your dentist to investigate. Other factors include the patient's age, oral health history, existing medical conditions, and genetic concerns.
What does my dentist screen for during routine checkups?
At each of your dental checkups your dentist will examine your X-rays for any signs of decay between the teeth, infections, or dental damage. They’ll also complete an oral cancer screening, evaluate any existing restorations such as crowns or fillings, check your gums, and address any additional concerns you may have.
The goal of a routine dental checkup is to spot any small signs of dental problems before they become advanced. This will help you avoid more extensive treatments like tooth extractions further down the road.