There’s a reason that the American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that adults and children have a professional teeth cleaning at least twice a year. Dental insurance companies are on board with this idea as well and will typically pay for two exams each year. However, you could benefit from coming to Cherry Creek Family Dentistry in Littleton, Colorado once every three months for a professional cleaning. We will provide a recommendation based on your level of tooth decay and other risk factors for oral health problems.
Even patients who do keep up with this schedule often assume that it’s just to help them achieve cleaner teeth. While cleaning by a professional is important, it’s just one of the many things that takes place during your bi-annual preventive care exam.
What to Expect at a Routine Cleaning and Oral Hygiene Exam
Our dental hygienists use special equipment to remove plaque and tartar build-up that you might not be able to dislodge with toothbrushing and flossing alone. After scraping the teeth for several minutes, a hygienist then polishes each tooth with high-quality toothpaste. Dr. Barker, Dr. Hoover, or Dr. Svoboda will then inspect your teeth, gums, and jaws for potential issues that could require a follow-up appointment. Some of the things that our dentists look for include:
- Cysts
- Decay between the teeth
- Signs of gum disease
- Oral tumors
- Impacted teeth
- Chipped or broken teeth
- Signs of infection
We use digital X-ray equipment once a year to have a basepoint for your oral health as well as to ensure that we don’t overlook anything with a visual exam of your mouth. You can expect your dentist as well as the hygienist working with you to take in-depth notes throughout your bi-annual preventive care appointment. This helps with future treatment planning as well as ensuring that your teeth and gums are as healthy as they can be right now. We can correct minor issues on the spot, but you will need to schedule another appointment for anything that requires detailed treatment.
Excellent Oral Hygiene at Home is Essential Between Appointments
Brushing and flossing your teeth every morning and evening helps to remove plaque and food particles that can cause problems when they remain on your teeth too long. We recommend purchasing a toothbrush with soft bristles and spending several seconds brushing each tooth in an up-and-down motion. It’s also a good idea to avoid
sweets and drinks with a lot of added sugar as much as possible. Too much sugar on the teeth accelerates the process of decay.
If we haven’t seen you in your child in more than six months, please contact Cherry Creek Family Dentistry at 303-321-1323 to schedule a preventive care exam. We look forward to helping your family enjoy the best possible oral health.