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Dental cleaning and exams are at the front line of good dental care allowing you to maintain the health of your teeth as well as allowing us to diagnose potential problems earlier before they become major issues.
When you visit us for your regularly scheduled appointment (usually every six months) we will typically perform a dental cleaning and Dr. Wright will perform a periodic oral exam with bitewing x-rays being taken once a year.
Preventative care like dental cleaning is one of the best things you can do for your oral health and usually results in fewer dental problems as well as a decrease in the overall expense of your dental care. Essentially, preventative dental care is the ounce of prevention that can save you from a pound of cure.
Our dental hygienist will start your dental cleaning with an oral exam to check the overall health of your mouth and teeth. This will include checking for cavities and tooth decay, examining previous restoration work, and a gum disease (gingivitis or periodontitis) check using a mirror and a periodontal probe.
Once the oral check is complete, your dental cleaning will begin. This process includes scraping the teeth to remove plaque and tartar build up, brushing the teeth with a high powered brush and toothpaste, and flossing your teeth to remove any remaining particles in-between your teeth.
Once the dental cleaning is finished, we recommend opting into a fluoride treatment to help protect your teeth against cavities.
We recommend scheduling a dental cleaning and exam every six months. However, everyone is different and some may need to schedule dental cleanings more often.
If it’s been a while since you’ve been to the dentist, it’s time to schedule a cleaning. Even if you’re going to the dentist regularly for cleanings, you may need to schedule another appointment if you have any of the following symptoms:
Some of the symptoms listed above can turn into serious dental issues if not addressed.
To prepare for your appointment, we recommend brushing your teeth, especially if you’ve eaten recently. A good brush before your hygienist does a cleaning will give them an idea of how you’re doing your at-home oral care.
We also recommend you hold off on whitening your teeth. The whitening process can make your teeth sensitive, which can cause your cleaning to be uncomfortable.
You’ll also want to come prepared with any questions you may have for the Dentist. Jot down your questions ahead of time so you don’t have to try to remember during your appointment. Your hygienist and dentist will likely be giving you information about your oral health as well. Be ready to write down any important information they share with you.
If you’re in need of a detailed dental cleaning or dental examination please feel free to contact us online or call our Martinsburg, West Virginia dental office directly at 304.267.6059 to schedule your appointment. We provide a wide range of general dentistry care as well as more involved dentistry services for patients throughout the Martinsburg area and look forward to you joining the Cornerstone Dental family.
