Dental Checkups & Cleanings – Marlton, NJ
The Foundations of Oral Health Excellence
Regular dental checkups and cleanings are half of an essential strategy (along with excellent home care) for supporting a healthy smile and preventing oral health issues. These routine visits not only keep your teeth and gums in top condition but also allow our team to find potential problems that might otherwise go unnoticed. By staying on top of your dental care at South Jersey Center for Dental Medicine, you can avoid more complex treatments and enjoy the benefits of a healthy smile.
Why Choose South Jersey Center for Dental Medicine for Dental Checkups & Cleanings?
- Experienced & Highly Skilled Dental Team
- Family Dental Services For All Ages
- Convenient Saturday Dental Office Hours
Why Are Regular Dental Checkups & Cleanings Important?
Regular dental checkups and cleanings play an important role in preventing oral health problems and keeping your mouth happy and fresh. During these visits, Dr.Vidya can spot early signs of issues like cavities, gum disease, and even oral cancer. Treating issues like these early makes the procedures easier, less expensive, and more effective!
Additionally, professional cleanings remove plaque and tartar buildup that daily brushing and flossing might miss, helping to prevent decay and gum disease. By scheduling routine visits every six months, you not only protect your oral health, but you also reduce the risk of dental emergencies and prevent other conditions like heart disease.
What to Expect During a Dental Checkup
During a dental checkup, our team will thoroughly examine your mouth to assess your overall oral health. This includes checking your teeth for cavities, inspecting your gums for signs of disease, and evaluating your bite and jaw alignment.
Dr.Vidya may also take X-rays to get a closer look at the health of your teeth, roots, and bone structure to detect anything that might be hiding there. She will also review your medical history, screen for oral cancer, and discuss any concerns you may have. This comprehensive approach is how we make sure that we find any oral issues are caught early to save you time, money, and discomfort.
What to Expect During a Dental Cleaning
Our dental cleanings are typically performed by one of our incredible dental hygienists! This process involves several important steps to help you achieve a sparkling smile.
- First, your hygienist will use special tools to remove plaque and tartar from the surfaces of your teeth, especially in areas that are hard to reach with regular brushing.
- Next, your teeth will be flossed thoroughly to dislodge any lingering food particles or debris that might be irritating your mouth.
- Lastly, your teeth will be polished to remove surface stains and give them a smooth, shiny finish.
Throughout the cleaning, you’ll receive tips and guidance on how to improve your at-home oral hygiene routine, so you can keep your smile bright and healthy between visits.
Checkups & Cleanings FAQs
How Long Does a Dental Exam Take?
Altogether, the dental exam portion of a routine checkup and cleaning takes roughly 10 to 15 minutes. The exact timing can vary as every patient is different and has their own situation.
Note that a dental exam includes several key steps, none of which are “instant.” It starts by assessing your teeth, gums, tongue, and other oral tissues for signs of decay or infection. From there, the exam will screen you for oral cancer, inspect your bite for potential problems, and so on. The head dentist will also use this assessment to review existing dental work like crowns, bridges, and dentures.
How Long Does a Regular Dental Cleaning Take?
The typical dental cleaning takes about 30 minutes or so, though it can run longer in some cases. The timeline for your own will depend on your own oral health.
Remember, a dental cleaning removes the plaque that’s built up in and around your smile. It’s likely to take a longer time if you haven’t been practicing good oral hygiene at home. In that case, you may require a “deep cleaning” because tartar – hardened plaque – has formed on your teeth and gums. Such an effort would go beyond the average 30-minute process and take multiple visits.
How Often Should I Get Dental X-rays?
Most patients should get new dental X-rays at least once every twelve months. However, the frequency often depends on a wide variety of factors.
Don’t forget that each person has their own situation, circumstances, etc. You may need dental X-rays more or less often depending on things like:
- The last time you received X-rays
- Whether you need to undergo a specific treatment
- You’re experiencing jaw pain or tooth pain
- You have certain medical or genetic conditions
All that said, you needn’t fear the X-rays would take long. The process of getting them only involves a few minutes each time.
Why Do Dentists Recommend Fluoride Treatments After Dental Cleanings?
Fluoride treatments do a great job of protecting weak teeth. As such, dentists will recommend them after dental cleanings to keep patients from getting cavities and tooth infections.
The mineral fluoride is well-known for its positive effects on oral health. Indeed, research shows it reduces dental sensitivity, strengthens enamel, and prevents severe cavities. A fluoride treatment is thus incredibly helpful for patients prone to tooth decay, and it’s more effective when a dental cleaning removes debris from one’s smile first.
This post-cleaning procedure also doesn’t add much time to a dental visit. It only takes a minute or so to perform, and the hygienist merely brushes a fluoridated gel or foam over the teeth.
