Dental Checkups & Cleanings Northborough
Routine Care to Safeguard Your Smile
For many years now, it has been the standard recommendation for everyone to visit their dentist twice a year for a cleaning and checkup — and that advice has truly stood the test of time! Indeed, regular preventive appointments can do much to safeguard your smile. Why are cleanings and checkups with our Northborough team so important, and what can you expect during these visits? Continue reading below to find out.
Why Choose Northborough Dental Group for Dental Checkups & Cleanings?
- Friendly & Skillful Dental Team
- Insurance Benefits Maximized
- Adults and Children Welcomed
Why Are Regular Dental Checkups & Cleanings Important?
If your mouth feels fine, you might be tempted to skip your biannual cleanings and checkups — especially if you have good oral care habits on a daily basis. However, keeping up with these appointments is important for everyone!
Some benefits you can enjoy as a result of these basic services include:
- A professional cleaning removes harmful plaque and bacteria from your mouth, thereby lowering your risk of cavities and gum disease.
- As a skilled dentist in Northborough, our team can help you catch dental issues early, which allows for less invasive and more affordable treatment options.
- We can help you monitor your overall oral health and identify signs of other medical conditions.
- Regular preventive care reduces your risk of a dental emergency.
- Your insurance likely covers preventive care at 100% — you might not have to pay anything out of pocket!
What to Expect During a Dental Checkup
During the checkup portion of your appointment, our team will:
- Examine your teeth, gums, and other oral tissues for any signs of cavities, gum disease, and other conditions.
- Take X-rays (if necessary) to detect problems that are not visible during a visual exam, such as decay between teeth or issues below the gumline.
- Check for signs of oral cancer by inspecting your tongue, cheeks, throat, and palate.
- Assess your bite and jaw alignment to identify any concerns related to chewing or jaw pain.
- Discuss your dental history, habits, and any symptoms you may have noticed since your last visit.
- Review and update your medical history so we can provide safe and effective care.
- Propose a treatment plan to address any issues we find.
What to Expect During a Dental Cleaning
During the cleaning portion of your appointment, your hygienist will:
- Use special instruments to remove plaque and target from your teeth.
- Carefully floss between your teeth.
- Offer tips on at-home oral hygiene. Feel free to ask if you would like product recommendations or if you need coaching on certain aspects of your routine.
- Polish your teeth to clear away surface stains and reduce bacterial adhesion.
- Offer a topical fluoride treatment.
- Make notes about any concerns you have so they can be brought up when you see your dentist.
Dental cleanings are comfortable for most people, but if you find the process difficult, let us know. We can make an effort to be extra gentle!
Dental Cleanings & checkups FAQs
How long does a dental exam take?
The exam portion of your appointment may take around 10 – 15 minutes, but this is just a rough estimate; remember, every patient is different.
Usually, during this time, your general dentist in Northborough will:
- Review any X-rays that were taken.
- Visually examine your teeth and perhaps use a dental probe to get additional information.
- Use an intraoral camera to see into parts of your mouth that are not readily visible with the naked eye.
- Talk to you about their findings and recommend any needed treatments.
How long does a regular dental cleaning take?
If you have good oral hygiene habits at home and do not have any special considerations, such as braces, a cleaning may take around 30 minutes. However, if you have gum disease or large accumulations of plaque and tartar, you can expect the process to take longer.
How often do I need to get dental X-rays?
Most patients need a full set of X-rays just once a year. We try to be conservative when taking X-rays because, even though the exposure to radiation is minimal, we do not want to overdo it!
We might take X-rays more often if you have specific complaints or we find evidence of a developing problem. Periodic X-rays may also be necessary if we are monitoring issues that we identified during a previous visit but that were not yet serious enough to treat.
What is the difference between a regular dental cleaning and a deep cleaning?
During a regular dental cleaning, which is also known as prophylaxis, your hygienist will remove plaque and tartar from your teeth, as well as floss and polish them. This is a routine service that is usually performed without local anesthesia or numbing gel. It usually takes around 30 minutes for patients with good oral health.
Debridement is another type of cleaning. It is a non-surgical procedure that removes heavy deposits of plaque and tartar.
A deep cleaning, also known as scaling and root planing, is even more involved. This is reserved for patients with signs of gum disease. During the process, we need to clean plaque that has accumulated both above and below the gumline. We also smooth out the tooth roots so bacteria cannot cling to them as readily. Because scaling and root planing is intensive and detail-oriented, it usually takes a few appointments to complete.
What should I do if I have sensitive teeth and find dental cleanings uncomfortable?
We see sensitive patients all the time! Simply let our team know that cleanings are uncomfortable for you, and we will do our best to be gentle. If your sensitivity is particularly bothersome, we might numb your mouth.
In order to minimize discomfort at future cleanings, we might recommend that you adjust your daily oral hygiene routine so your teeth are already as clean as possible when you see us. Additionally, you should be diligent about visiting us twice a year. The longer you go between cleanings, the more intensive they are likely to be.