Dental Checkups & Cleanings – Califon, NJ
Clean and Protect Your Beautiful Smile
While it’s often hard to ignore a painful toothache, in many cases oral health problems like cavities, gum disease, and tooth infections tend to start out small and unnoticeable to the untrained eye. But unfortunately, if you don’t know they’re there, what may be a small issue now can become a much more painful and costly issue later.
While brushing and flossing your teeth at home are an essential step to preventing these dangerous oral health issues, they don’t usually go quite far enough to keep your mouth as healthy as possible. Thus, regular (every six months) preventive checkups and cleanings at Califon Dental Arts are an extremely beneficial way to accent your at-home oral hygiene routine.
Why Choose PRACTICE for Dental Checkups & Cleanings?
- Dental Insurance Welcome
- We Use the Latest Dental Technology for Enhanced Comfort
- Friendly, Compassionate Dental Team
Why Are Regular Dental Checkups & Cleanings Important?
We know it can be tempting to skip your routine dental visits, especially if your mouth looks and feels fine, but the truth is avoiding this routine care could end up costing you more in the long run. Dental cleanings can remove dangerous and unsightly plaque that could eventually become a cavity, or an already formed cavity could get worse before it has a chance to be stopped.
The great news is that if you have dental insurance, your plan will most likely cover two checkups and cleanings per year, or every six months. Fillings and other restorations, however, may require you to pay out of pocket. Thus, preventing them can save you both time and money!
Worse yet, poor oral health affects more than just your smile. Studies have shown that it contributes to everything from heart disease and diabetes to Alzheimer's disease, so regular preventive care could even help reduce your risk of these conditions.
What to Expect During a Dental Checkup
At your regular dental exam, your dental team will do the following:
- Visually examine your teeth and gums, any existing dental work, and your overall bite.
- Screen your soft tissues for oral cancer.
- Take updated X-rays (typically once a year) to detect any issues that are developing underneath the surface.
- Answer any questions or concerns you may have about your treatment or your at-home oral hygiene routine.
- Update and review your medical history and list of medications to ensure they are not affecting your oral health.
What to Expect During a Dental Cleaning
Even the most diligent at-home oral hygiene routine can’t get your mouth completely clean. This is where routine, professional cleaning can help! During this portion of your treatment, your dental hygienist will use special instruments to remove plaque and tartar that have accumulated on and between your teeth and around the gumline. This will reduce your risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and chronic bad breath (halitosis).
Then, your teeth will be polished, removing minor surface stains, and flossed, to remove any bits of plaque left behind.