Dental Checkups & Cleanings – Orem, UT
Keep Your Smile Healthy and Beautiful
Many oral health problems like tooth decay, gum disease, and cracks in enamel can sometimes be incredibly difficult for untrained individuals to notice, so it’s important to visit our office in Orem every six months for routine checkups and cleanings. During these appointments, our skilled team will evaluate your oral health, address problems in their early stages, recommend better hygiene practices, and answer any questions you have about taking care of your mouth. Here’s a quick guide to the benefits of receiving regular checkups and cleanings from Frandsen Dental of Orem, but please feel free to contact our office if you’d like to know more.
Why Choose Frandsen Dental of Orem for Dental Checkups & Cleanings?
- Enjoy High-Quality Dental Care
- Skilled and Compassionate Dentists
- Insurance Welcomed
Why Are Regular Dental Checkups & Cleanings Important?
While it might seem okay to forgo seeing your dentist if you can’t notice any oral health problems, this can lead to painful dental emergencies that require costly restorative work to resolve. Receiving regular dental checkups & cleanings, on the other hand, can allow problems like cavities and gum disease to be detected and treated while they are still in their early stages, which can save you large sums of money in the long run and spare you from much unnecessary pain. Poor oral health is also associated with a host of serious overall health problems like pneumonia, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular conditions, and receiving regular care may help prevent these issues.
What to Expect During a Dental Checkup
During your checkup, our dentist will visually inspect your teeth, gums, bite alignment, and existing restorative work and screen your soft tissues for signs of oral cancer. You will also probably receive X-rays so we can look for signs of trouble that may be beneath the surface. If we find any concerning issues, we will develop a customized treatment plan to address them, and we’ll always be happy to answer any questions you have about oral hygiene. We’ll also review and update your medical history and list of medications as needed.
What to Expect During a Dental Cleaning
Even if you brush and floss every day, it is still impossible for you to clean certain areas of your mouth at home. Professional dental cleanings allow a qualified oral healthcare provider to remove plaque, tartar, and food debris from the hard-to-reach places in your gum tissue using floss and specialized instruments, which will reduce your risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and bad breath. Our dentist will also take care to polish away minor surface stains, and we may administer a fluoride treatment to reinforce your teeth and kill nasty bacteria.
Cleaning & Checkup FAQs
How Long Will My Dental Exam Take?
A regular dental exam is completed by your dentist and involves an oral cancer screening and a visual examination of your teeth, gums, tongue, and other oral tissues. They also examine your teeth for signs of decay, bite problems, and other concerns. They will also look at your existing dental work, including dental crowns, bridges, and dentures. Typically, the exam portion of your visit will take between 10 and 15 minutes.
How Long Will My Dental Cleaning Take?
If you don’t have gum disease or any signs of gum disease, you attend dental visits every six months, and you maintain a good at-home dental hygiene routine, your cleaning should only take about 30 minutes. If you require a deeper cleaning due to tartar buildup, this could take longer or require multiple visits. The length of your dental cleaning will ultimately depend on the current state of your oral health.
I Haven’t Been to the Dentist in Many Years. What Can I Expect?
Whether you haven’t had dental insurance, have a hectic schedule, or anxiety has held you back, the most difficult part is making that call to schedule your appointment. Just remember that it is one of the best things you can do for your oral health. If it has been a long time since your last visit, you can expect your cleaning and exam to take a little bit longer since there will be more tartar and plaque to remove. Your dentist will speak with you about any concerns that you can have they can be addressed. Don’t forget to schedule your next visit before you leave.
How Often Should I Have an Oral Cancer Screening?
During each of your dental checkups, your dentist or hygienist will conduct an oral cancer screening. This should only take a few minutes, and we can help to identify any signs of abnormalities and ensure that you receive follow-up care or testing if needed. First, your dentist or hygienist will feel the outside of your face, including your neck and jaw area for signs of lumps or bumps. They will also feel the inside of your lips and look in your mouth for abnormalities, like red and white rough patches and oral sores that haven’t healed in over two weeks. If we spot anything that could be a sign of oral cancer, we will refer you to a specialist for further testing.