Brighten Your Smile With Dental Exams & Cleanings in Philadelphia, PA

What Are Dental Exams and Cleanings?

Dental exams and cleanings are the most common reasons people visit their local dental clinic.

These routine procedures keep your teeth looking as white and clean as ever, but they are also essential to preserve your oral hygiene. Dentists will monitor your teeth during each cleaning and exam for cavities. They will also remove any build-up to prevent future tooth decay.

Dental cleanings are the foundation of proper oral health. And when you choose Pennsylvania Center for Dental Excellence to provide your dental exams and cleanings in Philadelphia, PA, our dental staff will perform these essential procedures thoroughly and carefully.

When Would Dental Exams and Cleanings be Necessary?

Though people don’t think about dental cleanings as necessary procedures as a root canal, they are vital to maintaining healthy gums and teeth. 

People cannot entirely remove plaque build-up — even with careful and frequent dental hygiene at home. So if you rely solely on brushing and flossing your teeth without scheduling a cleaning, you are likely at risk for cavities and tooth decay without realizing it. 

For optimal oral health, dental cleanings and examinations are necessary. In addition to checking your dental health, you can request that your dentist perform an oral cancer screening if you spot any unusual formations in your mouth.

Who Performs Dental Cleanings and Exams?

Typically, your general dentist is responsible for dental examinations and cleaning. 

General dentists handle most procedures happening in a clinic. Simple and advanced dental care operations fall under their guidance, and often, they will combine jobs as necessary.

If your general dentist notices any symptoms of periodontal disease during your appointment, they will recommend a gum disease treatment plan to keep your dental health intact. Despite routine procedures, much more goes into dental cleaning and examination than just teeth whitening.

How Often Should I Receive a Dental Cleaning and Exam?

Most general dentists recommend you come in for a dental cleaning and examination once every six months if you brush and floss your teeth twice daily.

If you do not regularly have your teeth cleaned with professional dental equipment, you will experience plaque build-up, leading to tooth decay and gum disease. However, visiting your dentist twice per year on average will remove that plaque and prevent it from progressing into a bigger problem.

While once every six months is the standard recommended by most clinics, your general dentist might suggest that you come in more frequently. This is because people with a familial history of gum disease or a long record of cavities and tooth decay often need more dental care than those without. 

Additionally, many common health conditions and lifestyle habits make people more prone to dental issues. If you have any of the following risk factors, your general dentist could recommend visits more often than every six months.

• Diabetes: Diabetes thickens blood vessels and reduces bodily blood flow, which can weaken gums and cause periodontal disease.
• Sleep apnea: This sleeping disorder forces people to breathe through their mouths while they rest, leading to tooth decay if left untreated.
• Tobacco and alcohol: Regularly consuming alcohol and tobacco products can lead to severe dental health conditions. For example, drinking alcohol reduces saliva, putting you at risk for plaque build-up and tooth decay, while tobacco is one of the leading causes of oral cancer.

Who is a Candidate For Dental Exams and Cleanings?

People of all ages benefit from regular dental exams and cleanings. By visiting a dental clinic no more than twice a year on average, your dentist can keep your teeth healthy, clean, and bright. In addition, regular examinations can detect oral cancer and lower the risk of any oral diseases worsening.

What Will Happen During My Dental Exam and Cleaning?

At Pennsylvania Center for Dental Excellence, we begin your appointment with a simple cleaning. We will use specialized dental tools to remove all plaque and tartar before polishing and flossing your teeth to a shine you’ll love.

Following the cleaning, you will receive an examination where your general dentist will screen for any diseases or areas of concern. If the dentist spots anything, they will ask you to schedule an immediate follow-up appointment to resolve the issue. If not, our team will help you schedule another appointment for six months down the road.

To schedule dental exams and cleanings in Philadelphia, PA, call Pennsylvania Center for Dental Excellence today at (215) 352-5447.