Teeth Cleaning & Dental Checkups
There are many ways you can play an active role in maintaining your oral health. Having your teeth cleaned in our office every six months is an excellent place to start.
Why is it important to have consistent teeth cleanings and checkups?
Routine checkups are an essential part of proper oral hygiene. Some of the benefits of regular teeth cleanings include:
- Prevention and early detection which save time and money
- Healthier bones and gums
- Diagnosis of decay
- Longer lasting teeth
- Early detection and treatment of cancer and other oral health conditions
- Beautiful, healthy smiles
What happens when we miss teeth cleanings?
Failure to keep up on proper oral hygiene can lead to:
- An impaired ability to eat and digest foods, leading to nutritional and systemic problems.
- Bad breath, resulting from advancing periodontal disease and/or rotting food particles.
- Negative effects on cardiovascular well-being and overall health.
- Gum infection
What to Expect at Your First Checkup
A routine cleaning appointment typically lasts about one hour, and new-patient visits are scheduled for approximately an hour and twenty minutes. We value the opportunity to get to know you and tailor your care to your individual needs and goals. During your first visit, you can expect the following:
Dental and Medical History
Your hygienist will review your medical history and document any existing dental restorations or conditions so we have a clear understanding of your overall oral health.
Digital X-rays
We take digital X-rays as an essential diagnostic tool for your comprehensive oral exam. If you’ve had X-rays taken within the last 12 months, please have them forwarded to our office.
Gum Evaluation and Cleaning
Your hygienist will measure your periodontal pockets to assess the health of your gums. If no signs of periodontal disease are present, a routine cleaning will be completed at this visit.
Periodontal Treatment Scheduling
If we determine that you have periodontal disease, we will schedule you to return for periodontal therapy. This allows adequate time for treatment and, in many cases, gives us the opportunity to obtain preauthorization from your insurance provider.
Oral Hygiene Guidance
We will review your home-care habits and offer individualized recommendations to help you maintain a healthy smile between visits.
Comprehensive Exam and Oral Cancer Screening
Dr. Travis will complete a thorough examination of your teeth to identify any necessary restorations and will perform an oral cancer screening to evaluate your overall oral health.
Proper Oral Hygiene: How to Prevent Tooth Decay
There are several simple and affordable ways in which you can fight tooth decay—a common chronic health condition.
- Brush twice and floss once daily.
- Have dental cleanings and checkups twice a year.
- Eat fewer sugary and acidic foods.
- Ask your dentist about additional cleaning supplements.
Keep Your Smile Healthy With Routine Care
Regular teeth cleanings and dental check-ups at Westwood Dental in Omaha, NE help protect your oral health and prevent future problems. Our Dentist is here to support a brighter, healthier smile year-round.
The Teeth Cleaning Procedure
During your cleaning appointment, your dental hygienist will carefully identify and remove both plaque, the soft film that can be brushed away at home, and tartar, the hardened buildup that requires professional instruments for proper removal. We take great care to clean every surface of your teeth, including the small spaces between them and along the gumline where bacteria tend to accumulate.
Cleanings are often finished with a polishing step using prophy paste. This paste starts out slightly coarse to help remove any remaining plaque and gradually becomes smoother, leaving your teeth clean, shiny, and refreshed. Before you leave, we point out any areas where plaque or tartar tends to build up so you can give those spots a bit of extra attention in your daily brushing and flossing routine. Our goal is to help you care for your teeth comfortably and effectively at home.
Are there different kinds of teeth cleanings?
Technically, no. Prophylaxis, the clinical term for a routine dental cleaning, is the only true “cleaning” procedure. A prophylaxis appointment is recommended every six months to maintain optimal oral health.
Other procedures sometimes mistaken for cleanings are actually periodontal treatments, which address gum disease or significant buildup:
- Full Mouth Debridement: A preliminary cleaning for patients with heavy calculus deposits.
- Scaling and Root Planing: A deep cleaning for patients with early stages of gum disease.
- Periodontal Maintenance: A specialized cleaning for patients with a history of periodontal disease.
The Cost of Teeth Cleaning
Most dental insurance policies include benefits that cover teeth cleanings. After all, not maintaining good oral hygiene will most likely lead to astronomical costs down the road, as failure to keep up with teeth cleanings often leads to serious and expensive health problems. Every patient’s budgetary situation is different, so we are happy to discuss yours with you. At a consultation, we present any possible costs up front to help you navigate your insurance benefits. Our main objective is to help you have a successful oral health experience.
