Dental Exam And Cleaning

Typically, dental insurance covers biannual dental exams and regular cleanings. If you’re unsure about your dental coverage, don’t hesitate to contact us and our team would be more than happy to verify your dental benefits on your behalf.

All in all, you should have at least twice a year for dental cleanings and check-up examinations.  You will save time and money by treating all dental problems as soon as they occur and greatly improve your oral health. In fact, some research suggests that those in good dental health will actually live longer than people who do not take care of their teeth. It is also important for people without teeth to see their dentist at least once a year. In addition, the dentist will need to check the fit of removable dentures and also look for any signs of oral cancer.

The most common misconception surrounding dental care is the idea that “no pain means no problem.” However, many dental conditions, including cavities, gum disease, and oral cancer, can remain painless for months or even years, providing little to no warning of their presence. By the time pain is experienced, the condition is often advanced, requiring more complex and expensive treatments that may result in more downtime for the patient.

Untreated cavities, for example, can eventually lead to infection and require more complex treatments like root canals or tooth extractions, rather than a simple filling. Similarly, gum disease can progress silently for years and, if left untreated, may require surgical intervention and antibiotics. Even more concerning is the risk of oral cancer, which can be difficult to treat if not caught early. Unfortunately, those who avoid dental care may be more likely to develop aggressive forms of oral cancer, which have a high five-year fatality rate of 50%.

Most if not all of our dental patients find routine teeth cleaning to be painless.  The cooling mist of water, mild vibrations, and the pressure felt during “scraping” does not generally caused discomfort.  Please let us know if the cleaning is beginning to cause pain, so that we can recommend alternative options to make your teeth cleaning more enjoyable.

Most dental cleanings last between 30 minutes to an hour on average, and are performed in a lying position in a comfortable dental chair.