Check Up & Clean

A check up is where we assess the overall health of your mouth and determine if any further work is needed. A cleaning includes a scale and polish to help remove stains, built-up plaque and tartar. Sometimes we’ll also take an x-ray to get a better look at the health of your teeth.

Depending on what treatment you need, a check and clean can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour. In general, most routine patients will only need cleaning, scaling, polish and fluoride which can take around 20-30 minutes. Approximately once a year, we’ll take X-rays of all your teeth.

Many dentists recommend seeing the dentist for a regular check and clean every six months. We find this to be the safest amount of time to detect possible oral health problems at an earlier stage, when treatments or preventive care may be more effective.

If your oral health is impacted it can cause bacteria in your mouth to multiply, when then combines with sugars found in foods to make acids. These acids attack the teeth causing tooth decay, cavities, gum disease and infections which can spread to other parts of the body. Health problems associated with poor oral health may include heart attacks and strokes, diabetes, and pneumonia.

Preventive dentistry is the ongoing practice of caring for your teeth and gums so that they remain healthy. Daily brushing and flossing along with regular check and cleans can help to prevent tooth decay, gum disease and the wear and tear of your tooth’s enamel.