Dental Checkups & Cleanings
Dental Exams & Cleanings: Double the Fun, Twice a Year!
Daily brushing and flossing are important for maintaining good oral health, but they aren’t enough to keep plaque and tartar from building up in hard-to-reach places your toothbrush can’t reach. Harmful bacteria that can cause cavities, gingivitis, and other problems thrive in the crevices in, between, and around your teeth. Regular dental checkups and cleanings by a dental professional help remove this bacteria, preventing tooth decay and gum disease.
When should I have an exam and/or cleaning?
For most people with relatively good oral health, your dentist will recommend a visit every six months. Six months is the average time it takes a cavity to develop, so frequent visits allow your dentist to catch anything early and begin preventative measures as soon as possible. Patients with more serious conditions, such as gum disease, severe tooth decay, or other oral concerns, may be encouraged to schedule more frequent appointments.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Dental Association recommend scheduling a child’s first visit to the dentist between 6 months and 1 year, typically after the first tooth erupts. This allows the dentist to monitor tooth eruption and look for specific areas of concern. Early exposure to the dentist’s office also helps to acclimate the child to the process—which can be a little scary at first—and minimize any future anxiety.
Dental Exams
Tooth decay, enamel erosion, and other periodontal conditions like gum disease and sensitivity typically develop over time. Routine dental exams give your dentists a chance to identify any current or potential issues so that the problem can be either remedied or prevented before more damage occurs. Dental exams should be conducted every six months by a dental professional.
Dental Depot DFW’s experienced staff uses the latest in diagnostic imaging technology to evaluate the health of your teeth, gums, and jaw and determine if you need specialized treatment. Because we believe in exceptional continuity of care, the Dental Depot team also includes oral surgeons, periodontists, and orthodontists, so you and every member of your family can receive the same quality of care for all of your oral health needs at one convenient location.
Dental Cleanings
Brushing and flossing can only do so much to prevent the buildup of plaque, tartar, and bacteria in your mouth. If not removed, these substances can eventually develop into bad breath, gum disease, and tooth decay, and the only way to remove them is with a thorough and professional dental cleaning. During a cleaning, a dental hygienist uses specialized equipment to scrape off tartar and plaque that has accumulated near your gum line and to polish surface stains from the teeth. He or she will also floss in between your teeth to remove anything that your regular brushing and flossing may have missed.Â
Routine dental cleanings are an important part of your family’s oral health, but they shouldn’t be inconvenient. That’s why Dental Depot DFW makes it easy for you and your family to get the care you need with flexible scheduling, multiple locations in the DFW area, Saturday appointments, and full teams of hygienists that can see everyone at one time. To find the location nearest you or to schedule your next appointment, visit us at request an appointment.
Additional Preventative Dental Treatments
Your teeth are yours for life, and they need all the help they can get to stay healthy and strong. While daily brushing and flossing, routine exams, and regular cleanings are all important for maintaining healthy teeth and gums, several additional treatments have been shown to strengthen tooth enamel, restore protective minerals, and prevent tooth decay.
Fluoride
Your teeth are protected by a hard, mineralized material called enamel. Enamel wears away as we age, but that erosion can be exacerbated by frequent exposure to acidic foods and drinks, like coffee, wine, and tea. Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that can be applied as a varnish or gel to the teeth to reinforce and restore the enamel that is already there, helping protect against tooth decay, cavities, and further erosion.
Dental Sealants
The biting surfaces of your teeth are not smooth, especially molars and premolars; they are covered with pits and grooves that are prime areas for growing bacteria and developing cavities, no matter how well you brush. A dental sealant is a thin plastic compound that is applied to the biting surfaces of the teeth as a protective barrier against tooth decay. They can be applied to teeth that have already developed a cavity—the decay is removed before applying the sealant—or as a preventative measure to teeth that look prone to developing one.