Checkups & Cleanings – Spring Hill, TN
Keeping Your Oral Health and Smile in Tip-Top Shape
All too often, patients view their biannual checkups and cleanings as optimal. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 40% of Americans don’t visit the dentist at least once a year. Yikes! Poor dental behaviors like these can cause serious oral health concerns, ranging from a small cavity to severe gum disease. To prevent this from happening, our team at Family Dental Associates of Spring Hill goes above and beyond to provide an experience that makes you genuinely look forward to your biannual checkup and dental cleaning in Spring Hill. Contact us today to schedule yours!
Why Choose Family Dental Associates of Spring Hill for Checkups & Cleanings?
- Dentist with Advanced Education in General Dentistry
- Warm, Welcoming Dental Office with Friendly Staff
- Emphasis on Thorough, Fully Personalized Dental Care
What Happens During a Dental Checkup?
If it has been a while since your last visit or you are new to our office, then your appointment may begin with dental X-rays. Otherwise, it will start with a thorough dental exam. During this time, our dentist in Spring Hill will look for decay and gum disease, as well as check for non-dental issues, like oral cancer. If they do detect anything, they will bring it to your attention and discuss your treatment options. On the other hand, if your oral health is in pristine condition, then they will move on to the cleaning portion of your visit.
What Happens During a Teeth Cleaning?
The second part of your bi-yearly appointment is your professional teeth cleaning. Using dental mirrors, scalers, and other special gadgets, our team will remove caked-on plaque, cleanse every nook and cranny of each tooth, and apply a cleaning polish. Each of these measures will help keep your teeth in pristine condition and prevent oral health problems (like gum disease) from developing in the future. Once it’s time to leave our office, you’ll have a bright, beautiful, renewed smile!
Why Is It Important to Visit Your Dentist Every Six Months?
You’ve likely been told from a young age that you should visit the dentist every six months, but why? If you’ve asked yourself something similar, here are just a few reasons your biannual appointments are so important:
- Detect non-dental issues, like oral cancer and osteoporosis in the early stages
- Prevent decay, cavities, and gum disease from forming
- Early intervention of gum disease
- Find problems underneath the surface with dental X-rays
- Provide product recommendations and best practices that will keep your teeth and gums in pristine condition at home
Our team at Family Dental Associates of Spring Hill firmly believes in the importance of preventive care, which is why we use our extensive experience, clinical expertise, and genuine passion for dentistry to make each patient’s experience phenomenal. Whether you are overdue for a professional cleaning or it’s time for your biannual visit, don’t hesitate to contact our office today and schedule an appointment with our family dentist in Spring Hill!
Checkups & Cleanings FAQs
How long does a regular dental cleaning take?
If you maintain consistent oral hygiene habits and have generally good oral health, your dental cleaning will take about 30 minutes to complete. But if you have severe plaque buildup, it will likely take your dental hygienist a bit longer to clean your smile.
It’s also worth noting that a “deep cleaning” (scaling and root planing treatment) is recommended in cases of gum disease. These types of cleanings are more extensive and can be considered a full treatment in their own right. If our team determines you need a deep cleaning, we may have to perform it separately during a follow-up appointment.
Why do dentists recommend fluoride treatment after dental cleanings?
Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that can promote “remineralization.” This is when the minerals that make up a tooth’s structure are replenished or strengthened, effectively slowing or even preventing cavity growth.
For patients who are still learning how to take care of their smiles (like young children) or those with medical conditions that make it difficult to keep their teeth clean, fluoride treatments can be a huge benefit. Though it’s also a good option for patients who simply want to give their teeth an extra protective boost!
How often should I receive oral cancer screenings?
Your dentist will perform an oral cancer screening during every dental checkup, so roughly every six months. This timeline helps us identify any potential warning signs early – something’s that crucial for oral cancer treatment. As the disease progresses, oral cancer becomes more and more deadly.
An oral cancer screening only takes a couple of minutes and is non-invasive. Your dentist will examine your mouth, looking for suspicious patches of skin or sores, and also gently palpate your neck to check for lumps. If they notice something abnormal, that doesn’t necessarily mean you have oral cancer. But it is worth further investigation, and depending on their findings, they may have you return in a few weeks to reevaluate or send a sample to a specialist for a biopsy.
What should I do if I need a dental cleaning but I’m too afraid to go to the dentist?
Fear of the dentist is quite common in the US. That’s one of the reasons we readily provide dental sedation services for those who need it. If you’re feeling anxious or become uncomfortable when sitting for prolonged periods of time, please let us know. We can work with you to determine whether nitrous oxide (laughing gas) or oral conscious sedation would be the best fit for you and your situation.
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