Virtually everyone knows that brushing and flossing every day is one of the surest ways to avoid cavities and other serious oral health issues. However, you can only go so far by using at-home dental hygiene products/habits to preserve your pearly whites. For this reason, the American Dental Association recommends people get routine dental checkups and cleanings twice a year. By undergoing these quick and straightforward appointments, you’ll be able to effectively stop problems before they can even begin to develop, and they’re typically covered by dental insurance! Read on to learn more about this service or give us a call today to schedule your next visit.
Why Are Regular Dental Checkups & Cleanings Important?
If your teeth are looking and feeling healthy, you might wonder if scheduling a dental visit every six months is necessary. While your smile might seem fine, regular checkups and cleanings are designed for several essential purposes, including:
- Maintaining bright & shiny teeth – Although you might practice brushing and flossing daily to keep stains at bay, your dentist will be able to effectively remove deeper or more stubborn stains that your toothbrush can’t.
- Avoid painful & costly issues – Since many oral health problems can grow undetected, you’ll need your dentist to monitor your teeth, gums, and mouth to detect and address any problems before they can worsen. The last thing you’d want is to experience pain and require expensive treatment for something that could’ve been avoided altogether.
- Catch systemic health concerns early – Your mouth is one of the main gateways to the rest of your body, so you’ll want to ensure it’s completely healthy. During your checkups, your dentist will look over your oral cavity to look for warning indications of issues like acid reflux, diabetes, heart disease, oral cancer, and more.
What to Expect During a Dental Checkup
After arriving at your dental checkup appointment, your dentist will take some time to catch up with you, learn about your smile goals, update your medical/dental records, and discuss any symptoms you might be experiencing. They’ll evaluate your oral health visually and also take X-rays to get a clearer image of the condition of your roots and jawbone. They will also look over any restorations you might have, such as crowns or dentures, as well as perform an oral cancer screening.
Once your dentist is finished, you’ll discuss their findings and review your treatment options if they detect any problems, like cavities and gum disease. You’ll work together to create a specific plan to address the issues so you can return to enjoying a comfortable and healthy smile.
What to Expect During a Dental Cleaning
For the other half of your appointment, your dentist will work on thoroughly cleaning your teeth. Not only will they brush your pearly whites with specialized tools, but they’ll also buff and polish them right after removing any plaque and tartar that may have accumulated. This prescription-strength paste will help eliminate any particles and surface stains from your tooth enamel. You’ll be able to walk out of our office with a brighter and healthier set of teeth!
Checkups & Cleanings FAQs
How long does a dental exam typically take?
Your examination is usually the first part of your appointment, and it’s natural to wonder how long it normally takes to complete. It may vary depending on your circumstances, but most patients can expect this part of their visit to last about 10 to 15 minutes.
This is often enough time for our team to visually examine your teeth and gums, bite alignment, and existing dental work to ensure that everything’s in good shape. We also take a few moments to scan the soft tissues of your mouth for any signs of oral cancer to catch this potentially fatal condition with enough time to help improve prognoses.
How long will my cleaning take?
After we’ve completed your exam, our hygienist will carefully clean your teeth and gums to remove even the most stubborn plaque and tartar buildup. This might only take about 30 minutes, but it can be longer if it’s been a while since your last appointment or have neglected your twice-daily at-home dental hygiene routine. The more there is for us to clean, the longer it will take to complete this portion of your visit.
How frequently should I get dental X-rays?
Our team uses state-of-the-art technology for more comfortable, accurate imaging, including a KaVo OP 3D cone beam scanner and advanced digital X-rays, but it’s natural to wonder how often scans and images are required.
There are three types of dental X-rays that are intended to help fulfill different purposes, and therefore have different recommended timelines, which are outlined in more detail below:
- These are taken usually once or twice annually to help detect cavities for preventive care.
- These help identify issues in the roots and are typically only taken as needed to assist with diagnosis or treatment planning.
- This type is taken every 3 to 5 years to help spot spacing or developmental issues, like orthodontic concerns or wisdom tooth evaluation.
How much does a routine dental exam and cleaning cost in Barnegat Township?
Most patients in the area can expect to spend between $150 and $400 for a standard visit, but the cost can vary significantly based on your circumstances. For example, if you have dental insurance, it might cover up to 100% of your appointment, meaning that you won’t owe anything out of pocket if you’ve already met your deductible. However, if our team finds issues, such as cavities or gum disease, that require treatment, then you’ll also be expected to pay for those services.
If you’re concerned about affording routine preventive services, we’ve got your back. We offer in-house membership plans that include 2 free cleanings, unlimited X-rays, and 10% to 15% discounts on other procedures. We also gladly accept flexible payment plans through CareCredit and Cherry.
