Regular dental exams and professional teeth cleanings play an important role in preventing cavities, gum disease, and other oral health concerns. At Clearwater Dentistry, we combine thorough preventive care with advanced diagnostic technology to help identify problems early and keep your smile healthy.
Whether it has been six months or several years since your last dental visit, Dr. Alan Baughman and our team are committed to making your experience as comfortable as possible. From ergonomic treatment chairs and entertainment options to advanced imaging technology and gentle care, we focus on providing a thorough exam in a relaxed, welcoming environment.
What to Expect at Your First Visit
When you arrive, you will be greeted by a Patient Care Coordinator who will check you in, notify the team of your arrival, verify insurance if applicable, and guide you through any necessary new patient forms. You can save time by completing the new patient forms online before you arrive.
Once completed, a member of our team will escort you from the waiting room to a treatment room where they will review your dental history, medical history, and any dental health concerns or issues. The dental hygienist or assistant will then take digital x-rays for the doctor to review.
We then complete a comprehensive evaluation to document your current oral condition, including existing restorations, cavities, periodontal health, and other conditions or habits that may influence your oral health and complete a head/neck exam and oral cancer screening.
Upon completing our evaluation, we will review our findings, diagnoses, and recommended treatment. If a routine teeth cleaning is most appropriate, we will typically complete it during this visit. However, if scaling and root planing are recommended, we may need to reschedule for another visit to have adequate time for this procedure. Routine teeth cleanings cannot be guaranteed for a new patient appointment and are based on your periodontal readings.
What Is a Dental Exam?
A routine dental exam is a comprehensive evaluation of your oral health. During your appointment, Dr. Alan Baughman will examine your teeth, gums, bite, and existing dental work while looking for signs of cavities, infection, bone loss, and other oral health concerns.
As part of your exam, we also perform an oral cancer screening by examining your lips, cheeks, tongue, floor of the mouth, throat, and surrounding tissues for any unusual changes. Detecting oral cancer in its earliest stages can significantly improve treatment outcomes.
When appropriate, we use advanced diagnostic technology, including digital X-rays, intraoral cameras, and CBCT imaging, to evaluate areas that cannot be seen during a visual examination. These tools help us diagnose problems early and recommend the most appropriate treatment..
Why Regular Dental Exams Are Important
Visiting the dentist may not always be at the top of our priority list unless we’re feeling pain and soreness. But routine dental exams and teeth cleanings can help prevent tooth decay and gum disease before there are any noticeable symptoms. This way, problems can be discovered early, when they’re still easiest to treat. Routine exams are painless and usually over in 45 minutes or less.
Our dental health is closely linked with our overall health, which is why regular checkups are so important. Dental infections and issues can spread to other parts of the body, potentially leading to serious health problems. Routine oral exams and teeth cleanings will ensure your teeth are strong and healthy.
Professional Teeth Cleaning
A routine teeth cleaning, also known as dental prophylaxis, involves removing plaque and tartar from your teeth to help prevent decay and gum disease. Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria, sugar, and debris that builds up on the surface of your teeth throughout the day. Plaque can cause tooth decay and gum disease if left untreated, leading to more serious health problems.
Tartar, or calculus, is a hardened build-up that accumulates over time from the calcification of dental plaque. The tartar harbors bad bacteria and creates an environment around the teeth that is unhealthy, causing inflammation of the gum and bone that may lead to bone loss. In cases where periodontal bone loss is present, a routine cleaning may not be most appropriate for your condition.
At Clearwater Dentistry, our dental hygienists use state-of-the-art ultrasonic scalers to clean your teeth quickly and effectively. Our hygienists are experienced in working with patients of all ages and provide comprehensive education on proper brushing and flossing techniques.
Fluoride Treatments
Fluoride is a mineral that helps strengthen tooth enamel, making it more resistant to decay. After your teeth cleaning, we may recommend fluoride treatments to help maintain the health of your teeth. Using a fluoride foam or varnish, we can quickly and easily apply the right amount to your teeth. These treatments help reduce cavities and protect your teeth from damage.
When Is a Deep Cleaning Needed?
A routine teeth cleaning is appropriate for patients with healthy gums or mild gingivitis. During your dental exam, we will measure the health of your gums to determine whether a routine cleaning is the right treatment for you.
If we detect signs of periodontal disease, we may recommend scaling and root planing, also known as a deep cleaning. This treatment removes plaque and tartar from below the gumline to help reduce inflammation and slow the progression of gum disease.
Protect Your Smile Between Dental Visits
Regular dental exams and professional cleanings are only part of maintaining good oral health. Daily brushing and flossing help remove plaque, reduce the risk of cavities and gum disease, and keep your teeth and gums healthy between appointments.
To help protect your smile:
- Brush twice a day using a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste.
- Brush for two minutes each time to thoroughly clean every surface of your teeth.
- Floss once a day to remove plaque and food particles from between your teeth and along the gumline.
- Replace your toothbrush every three to four months, or sooner if the bristles become worn.
- Maintain regular dental checkups and cleanings so potential problems can be detected and treated early.
Visit Clearwater Dentistry in Greeley, CO
Routine dental exams and professional teeth cleanings are one of the most effective ways to prevent cavities, gum disease, and other oral health problems before they become more difficult to treat. At Clearwater Dentistry, Dr. Alan Baughman combines comprehensive evaluations with advanced diagnostic technology to help you maintain a healthy smile for years to come.
Visit us at 3110 67th Avenue Place, Greeley, CO.
FAQs About Dental Exams & Cleanings
A typical new patient appointment is scheduled for about 90 minutes. This allows our team to collect all information, x-rays, and photos necessary to accurately assess your current oral condition, diagnose appropriately, present recommended treatment, and complete a routine teeth cleaning if recommended.
It is recommended that you see a dentist every 6 months for a professional cleaning and examination. This helps to ensure that your teeth and gums stay healthy and any potential problems are caught early on. In cases where periodontal disease is present, more frequent cleanings may be necessary to stabilize and maintain your periodontal condition.
During your new patient appointment, we will assess your periodontal condition (gum and bone health) and recommend the most appropriate type of cleaning. If a routine teeth cleaning is most appropriate, we will typically complete it during this visit. However, if scaling and root planing is recommended, we may need to reschedule for another visit to have adequate time for this procedure. Routine teeth cleanings cannot be guaranteed for a new patient appointment and is based on your periodontal readings.
Yes, you can eat after a teeth cleaning. However, if fluoride has been applied to your teeth, it is best to wait at least an hour after your appointment to ensure that the fluoride treatment has adhered to your teeth properly.
It is normal to experience some discomfort after a dental cleaning. This is typically caused by the removal of plaque and tartar that was accumulated on and around the teeth during the appointment, which can cause your gums to be temporarily inflamed. Over-the-counter pain relievers can help manage any discomfort you may feel. This discomfort should resolve within a couple days following the cleaning.
No, teeth cleaning does not normally whiten teeth. However, removing plaque, tartar, and stains from the teeth, may result in a lighter appearance of the teeth following the cleaning. In-office professional teeth whitening or at-home whitening trays may be necessary to achieve a whiter and brighter smile. If you are interested in teeth whitening, please talk to us about our Philips in-office zoom whitening.
