Keep Your Smile Healthy and Beautiful With Routine Dental Exams and Cleanings
Achieving a healthy, beautiful smile isn’t a one-off accomplishment — it involves diligent oral hygiene at home and ongoing support from a trusted dental team. Our dental team at White Sage Dentistry provides numerous preventive dental care services, including dental exams and cleanings to keep your teeth and gums healthy. Please schedule an appointment today with Dr. Shruti Jadeja and the team for your routine dental exam.
What happens during a dental exam?
We strongly advise patients of all ages to see a dentist at least twice a year. Patients at risk of gum disease or cavities can increase the frequency to 3-4 times annually. Oral wellness exams help our team assess your dental health, pinpoint areas of concern, and recommend appropriate corrective care to restore your oral health.
But how does our dental team carry out an oral exam? After taking your medical history and knowing you as a person, a typical dental check-up involves the following:
- Visual examination: Our dentist uses an intra-oral camera or a small mirror to get a comprehensive view of your mouth. During a visual dental examination, we can point out signs of cavities, gum disease, failing dental work, and other visible abnormalities.
- Digital x-rays: Issues lurking beneath the gum line can only be spotted with the help of x-ray images. We use safe dental x-rays to unearth bone loss, hidden cavities, cysts, tumors, impacted wisdom teeth, and jaw misalignment. We use the findings of visual exams and digital radiographs to devise a personalized treatment plan.
- Oral cancer screening: Our dental team probes your lips, mouth, cheeks, neck, throat, and other oral structures to detect sores, lumps, and other abnormalities linked to mouth cancer. We always recommend a biopsy after spotting abnormal signs that indicate the presence of mouth cancer.
- Dental cleaning: After your oral exam, our dental team begins a thorough cleaning of your mouth to remove plaque and tartar accumulated on your teeth. After plaque and tartar removal, we floss and polish your teeth for a shiny look.
Ready to enjoy a clean and fresh smile in Salem, OR? Please dial (503) 877-1626 to schedule your routine dental check-up with White Sage Dentistry. Let’s work together to give you an incredible smile.
How often should I schedule routine cleanings and exams with my dentist?
We encourage most of our patients to see a dentist at least twice a year. However some patients, such as those who are at high risk of developing cavities or gum disease may need to visit 3-4 times every year. These routine dental exams can help to identify potential dental problems while they can be more easily treated.
What can I expect during a routine cleaning appointment?
Usually your appointment will involve a visual examination with a mirror or an intra-oral camera so that we can thoroughly inspect your mouth for signs of gum disease, cavities, or other dental problems. We may also take digital x-rays to identify issues we cannot see above the surface such as impacted wisdom teeth, some cavities, bone loss, cysts and more. At your appointment we also provide an oral cancer screening to identify signs of cancer or abnormalities in the mouth, lips, cheeks, throat and elsewhere. Finally, we will perform a thorough dental cleaning and polish to remove plaque or tartar that may have accumulated on your teeth and give them a shiny appearance. We may also provide fluoride treatments as needed.
Can routine cleanings prevent cavities?
Yes, routine dental cleanings help prevent cavities by removing plaque and tartar buildup. Plaque is a bacteria-filled film that accumulates on teeth and can attack tooth enamel, leading to cavities and decay. By removing plaque and tartar during regular cleanings, we can reduce the risk of cavities and detect early signs of decay for prompt treatment. Combining regular cleanings with proper oral care at home helps keep teeth healthy and minimizes dental problems such as cavities.
What types of dental problems can routine cleanings and exams detect?
Regular dental cleanings and exams can help us to detect a number of potential oral problems. During your regular exam, we may notice early signs of cavities, gum disease, or oral cancer while also identifying problems such as impacted teeth. As we perform these exams every 6 months, we will be able to more easily treat many of these problems in the earliest stages when treatment is more likely to be successful and less costly.
How can I maintain good oral health between routine cleanings and exams?
– Advice on daily oral hygiene practices and lifestyle habits that can promote good oral health.
While regular dental cleanings are essential for maintaining good oral health, you will also need to do your part between appointments. Brushing your teeth at least twice a day, flossing daily, and using mouthwash can help control plaque buildup between cleanings. Additionally, eating a balanced diet and minimizing sugary snacks and drinks can further protect your teeth from cavities.
