Dental Checkups & Cleanings – Boston, MA
A Tune Up for your Teeth
No matter how solid your dental hygiene is, there are still some things that you may need a professional to help you with. Issues like gum disease can set in slowly, but only get worse with time and can wreak havoc if left untreated.
That’s why it’s important to come in for regular dental checkups to get a tune-up for your teeth. If you haven’t had one in a while, the team here at Devonshire Dental of Boston is here and happy to help you. Give us a call and we’d be happy to welcome you in for a preventive appointment.
Why Are Regular Dental Checkups & Cleanings Important?
It can sometimes be a little bit difficult to convince people that they should still see their dentist when they feel perfectly fine, but waiting for problems to crop up in order to get your dental care will cause even more problems in the long run.
Getting a cleaning can save you from a cavity down the line, saving you the time and money that you would otherwise invest in a filling or root canal, not to mention saving you the discomfort associated with a toothache.
Recent studies suggest that there are other health problems associated with buildup of bacteria in the mouth, like heart disease and diabetes. While these results aren’t easy to see they can be very real, so it’s important to get professional cleanings even when oral health problems aren’t necessarily apparent.
What to Expect During a Dental Checkup
The purpose of a checkup is to thoroughly examine your mouth, getting a sense of any oral health problems that you could have. This involves:
- Checking your teeth and existing dental work for any visible damage
- Take x-rays to find problems under the surface
- Look for any signs of oral cancer in the soft tissues in your mouth
- Create a treatment plan to address any issues we find
- Update your medical history
- Answer any questions that you have about how best to take care of your oral health
What to Expect During a Dental Cleaning
There are parts of your mouth that you aren’t necessarily going to be able to reach with daily dental hygiene. Without regular cleanings, bacteria can build up in these areas of the mouth and turn into gum disease.
There are parts of your mouth that you aren’t necessarily going to be able to reach with daily dental hygiene. Without regular cleanings, bacteria can build up in these areas of the mouth and turn into gum disease.
At a regular cleaning, our dental hygienists will use special implements to remove plaque and tartar from between the teeth and along the gums. We will also polish your teeth to remove any surface-level stains and will floss you as well.
Finally, we also do fluoride treatments, which can be great for those people whose teeth need a little bit more support. Ask us about it at your appointment and we’ll be happy to talk to you about whether they could help you.
Checkups & Cleanings FAQs
What Does a Dentist Screen for at Routine Checkups?
At any given checkup, your dentist screens for various concerning oral symptoms. These range from signs of tooth decay and infection to marks of dental damage – chipped or cracked teeth, eroded gums, etc. They’ll also check you for oral cancer, as well as faults in existing restorations like dental crowns and fillings. (If such prosthetics are damaged, the dentist will advise replacements.)
This screening ensures dentists can spot worrying signs as early as possible. That way, they can help patients avoid extensive and invasive treatments like root canals or tooth extractions.
How Long Does a Regular Dental Cleaning Take?
The typical dental cleaning only takes about 30 minutes, all things considered. That’s enough time for hygienists to clean a smile that enjoys good oral care.
Of course, it’s possible for a cleaning to take more than half an hour. The session will run longer if you require deep cleaning due to heavy buildup of plaque and tartar. In the latter case, the hygienist may even have you return for a follow-up visit that involves scaling and root planing.
Good at-home oral hygiene ensures your cleaning goes as quickly (and smoothly) as possible. So, please brush your teeth twice daily and floss once daily between dental cleanings!
How Often Do I Need to Get Dental X-Rays?
You should get dental X-rays at routine checkups every six months, as the process is quick and beneficial. It only takes a few minutes during your appointment.
Depending on the time, you can (and should) get one of three types of dental X-rays. The first is a bitewing – a kind taken every year to detect a patient’s cavities. Next are periapical X-rays, which help with pre-treatment planning, identify issues with tooth roots, and are done on a case-by-case basis. Lastly, there are panoramic X-rays taken every 3-5 years to spot developmental problems.
Which X-rays you get at a checkup will depend on the last time you received X-rays. Additionally, the type will also be based on factors like age, oral health history, etc.
What Should I Expect If I Haven’t Been to a Dentist in Years?
If you haven’t (for various reasons) seen a dentist in years, don’t expect your appointment to go as it does for regular visitors. Your checkup and cleaning will inevitably look a bit different.
First of all, your cleaning and exam are bound to take longer than usual. The hygienist will spend more time clearing away the tartar and plaque that’ve built up on your smile. Since you’ve lacked dental care for years, plenty of harmful bacteria will have had a chance to gather and multiply in your mouth.
The dentist may also speak with you about pain or other issues your smile is experiencing. That way, they can address any underlying problems before your oral health can worsen.