Here is What to Expect During Your Dental Checkup Exam and Cleaning

From the Practice Blog · Originally published March 20, 2019

Dental checkup appointments usually involve a thorough cleaning and an examination in order to ensure that the teeth are in optimal condition. A dentist or dental professional will be the one to clean and look over the teeth during this appointment.

When visiting our office for a dental checkup appointment, it is important to know what to expect as we clean and examine the teeth. Being aware of what happens can make people feel more comfortable about their visit to the office. Today, we will discuss what to expect when visiting our office for a cleaning and exam.

What to expect: Examination

During a dental examination, the dentist or dental professional will closely look at each of the teeth one by one. Dental tools might be used to see the undersides of each tooth as it is important to see all sides to ensure that there aren’t any abnormalities.

The examination part of a dental checkup may also involve the dentist using a scraping tool to scrape off the plaque that they might come across when looking at each tooth. While scraping may sound harsh or painful, it is not anything that someone should fear. It is actually beneficial to have the teet scraped free of plaque.

During the exam, a dentist will usually count each of the teeth to ensure that the proper number is present. He or she may also use their gloved fingers to feel each of the teeth, ensuring that none are loose or tender near the roots.

What to expect: Cleaning

When the dentist or dental professional clean the teeth in office, it will be relatively easy and pain-free. Proper cleaning is necessary at the dentist’s office in order for all areas of the teeth to be reached. While most people do properly clean their teeth at home, they can often miss spots that are hard to see or reach. Having the teeth cleaned at a dental checkup will help ensure that there aren’t leftover particles harming the teeth.

Dental cleanings in a dentist’s office are beneficial because they involve the use of high-grade professional equipment that can cleanse the teeth better than the normal at home brush and paste can.

Flossing will be done at the dentist’s office as well because they want to ensure that the gums stay in optimal shape too. Having clean teeth and clean gums makes for better overall oral health. A dentist can provide a proper flossing experience so that people know how to floss properly.

Cleanings and examinations at dental checkups are routine and every dental professional does them in order to keep their patient’s teeth and gums in healthy shape. It is important to know what to expect during a dental checkup appointment so that people don’t have as much fear or anxiety about visiting their dentist.

If you have questions about dental checkup appointments and how cleanings and exams are done then reach out to our office today. We have trained professionals who can help answer any questions that you might have. Give us a call or stop in today.