Teeth Cleaning & Dental Exams

Brushing and flossing are crucial to your dental health, but it isn’t enough. Regular dental checkups and professional teeth cleaning are also important. Our hygienists and dentists identify plaque and problem areas before thoroughly cleaning your teeth. They also provide you with information you can use at home to sustain a happy, healthy smile.

Why should I see the dentist twice a year if I don’t have any problems?

Dental problems, including cavities, plaque, and tartar, often develop with no symptoms until they are severe. During routine checkups, your dentist can spot potential problem areas before they become more significant. Professional teeth cleanings have several benefits, including:

• Healthier bones and gums
• Early detection of cancer and other illnesses affecting the mouth
• A brighter, cleaner smile

What happens when I don’t get my teeth professionally cleaned?

If you neglect routine cleanings, it leads to a variety of oral hygiene issues such as:

• Problems properly chewing and digesting foods
• Chronic bad breath
• Periodontal disease
• Gum infections or gangrene
• Damage to your cardiovascular health

What happens at my first teeth cleaning and dental checkup?

Your first visit to our office will take a little over an hour to ensure we give you complete care and get to know your medical and dental history. We take pride in getting to know each of our patients and tailoring treatments to every individual’s health needs and goals. Here’s what to expect the first time you come to our office:

Dental History

One of our hygienists takes your medical and dental histories to get a clear picture of your overall health. We review any medical conditions that affect your dental health or that could impact future dental treatments.

Digital Imaging

We take digital x-rays to get a complete picture of your teeth and gums. These are highly detailed and a valuable tool in helping us spot problems early. If you have had x-rays or 3D images in the last 12 months, please have them sent to our office. If you cannot have x-rays for any reason, let us know.

Cancer Screening and Exam

We screen for oral cancers and other illnesses such as heart disease and diabetes, then exam your teeth for decay and cavities.

Gum Evaluation and Teeth Cleaning

A hygienist evaluates your gums, measures periodontal pockets with a probe, cleans your teeth, and removes tartar, plaque, and calculus.

Review of Oral Health Habits

After your tooth cleaning, we review your health habits, suggest ways to improve your oral health care and reinforce the importance of proper dental hygiene.

Proper Oral Hygiene

Preventing tooth decay is the primary goal of proper oral hygiene. To help avoid this common but potentially harmful condition, follow these guidelines:

1. Brush twice and floss once daily.
2. Have dental cleanings and checkups twice a year.
3. Eat fewer sugary and acidic foods.
4. Take fluoride tablets, which make teeth more resistant to decay.
5. Ask your dentist about additional cleaning supplements.
6. Minimize sugary foods and drinks

What to Expect at Your Teeth Cleaning

During a professional cleaning, your dental hygienist identifies and removes plaque – a soft film that can be removed by brushing – and tartar – a hardened plaque that has to be removed with dental instruments. The hygienist will carefully clean all surfaces, including the tight spaces between your teeth and along the gums where bacteria gather.

We often complete the cleaning with prophy paste. Its coarse quality, which removes any remaining plaque as it dissolves into a finer texture, and leaves the teeth shiny and smooth. We inform you of any areas where plaque and tartar build up, so you can give those places extra attention by flossing and brushing each day. Our goal is to enable you to easily and effectively care for your teeth.

How much does it cost to have my teeth cleaned?

Most dental insurances cover twice-yearly teeth cleanings because they are the best way to prevent cavities, periodontal disease, and other oral health issues. The cost of treating infections and repairing damage to the teeth and gums is much higher than the cost of regular cleaning and exams. If you do not have dental insurance, please contact our office to discuss options and payment plans that fit your budget. Our goal is your dental health and a positive experience at Harborside Dental.

Are dental cleanings for children necessary?

Yes. Starting your children on a regular dental exam and cleaning schedule is key to maintaining their oral health and encouraging proper dental hygiene at a young age. This also helps alleviate the dental anxiety that may keep them from following up with good dental care when they are adults. Do not surprise your child with their first trip to our office. Children do surprisingly well with dental cleaning if they know what to expect. Our dental hygienists and Drs. Krull and Kozelko use a gentle touch with children, explaining each step of the process and taking frequent breaks, so the process is not overwhelming.

We recommend dental exams and cleanings when your child is a toddler. This helps us monitor baby teeth development and keep them healthy until permanent teeth arrive. To prepare your child for their first visit, read children’s books about visiting the dentist, let them examine your teeth, and “play dentist” with dolls or stuffed animals. Knowing what to expect makes a child’s first visit to the dentist an adventure rather than something to fear.

Our “No Cavity Club” introduces your child to the importance of proper brushing and flossing at home and engages them in their own dental health.

I have sensitive teeth. Do teeth cleanings hurt?

We practice gentle dentistry techniques that minimize discomfort for patients with sensitive teeth. Most cleanings are done with little or no pain. If you have sensitive teeth, it may be because your teeth have worn enamel or exposed roots, making it crucial to get a complete exam and cleaning to prevent further damage. We can also suggest ways to minimize tooth sensitivity and show you proper brushing techniques to avoid more damage to the enamel.

If you have not had your teeth cleaned in the last six months, you are overdue for a professional teeth cleaning and a complete dental exam. Please call our office at Harborside Dental Phone Number 231-946-0207 to schedule an appointment.