Dental Checkups & Teeth Cleanings – Millersville, MD
Keep Your Smile Beautiful and Healthy
Can you remember the last time you got your teeth professionally cleaned? According to a survey by the American Dental Association, 42 percent of Americans don’t see their dentist on a regular basis. Believe it or not, avoiding dental checkups and cleanings can spell disaster for your oral health. At Transcendent Smiles, we strive to keep your smile beautiful and healthy for as long as we can, and a critical part of that routine involves regular visits with us. If it has been a while since you last had a dental appointment, give us a call today to schedule dental checkups and teeth cleanings with our Millersville, MD dentist!
What Can You Expect at Your Dental Checkup and Teeth Cleaning Visit?
The first portion of your appointment entails meeting one-on-one with our dentist. We take highly detailed digital X-rays and diagnostic images to detect any warning signs of problems like cavities, gum disease, or oral cancer. Then we conduct a thorough evaluation of your mouth, including all of your teeth, gums, and existing dental work. Using what we find, we can then create a personalized treatment plan to address any issues and answer any questions you may have regarding your oral health.
Once the checkup portion of your appointment is complete, our hygienist will take it from there. She will use special instruments to remove plaque that has built up in areas like along your gum line and between your teeth. To finish up, she’ll polish your teeth with a special paste that removes surface stains and makes them truly shine!
How Often Should You Attend a Dental Checkup and Teeth Cleaning?
The American Dental Association recommends that most people visit their dentist for a checkup and cleaning twice a year, or every six months. However, there are certain health conditions that might mean you’ll have to attend these appointments on a more frequent basis, some of which include:
- HIV/AIDS
- Diabetes, especially if it’s poorly controlled
- Pregnancy, which increases the risk of gum disease
- Tobacco use
- Cancer treatment
- Heart disease
When you come to see us, our dentist can evaluate the state of your oral health and determine how often you’ll need to come in for a checkup.
Why Are These Visits Important?
While brushing and flossing at home go a long way in maintaining a healthy smile, the fact is they’re simply not enough. There are many areas of your mouth that your toothbrush and floss simply can’t reach. Plaque can then accumulate in these spots, hardening into tartar, which you can’t get rid of on your own. At that point, only a dental professional can remove it, which is where regular teeth cleanings come in. We can easily clear tartar away from your teeth, which prevents a whole host of oral health problems.
The checkup is just as important. Oftentimes, dental health issues like cavities don’t show symptoms until serious damage has already been done. By the time you complain of a toothache, you might need more than just a filling to treat your cavity. To save yourself time and money on extensive dental treatments, let our dentist examine your mouth at least twice a year. She can pick up on signs of potential problems and get them taken care of while treatment is still relatively easy and inexpensive.
Checkups & Cleanings FAQs
How long can I expect a dental exam to take?
It may vary based on your circumstances, but typically the first part of your visit is your examination. Dr. Tran will visually examine your teeth and gums for any areas of concern, such as thinning enamel or swollen gum tissue, that might indicate a developing problem.
This often only takes about 10 to 15 minutes, though it could take longer if it’s been a while since your last visit, you’ve neglected your oral health, or have pre-existing concerns that require follow-up. For example, if we find damaged enamel or signs of gum disease, we’ll need to develop a customized treatment plan before proceeding, which can make the appointment take longer.
How long does a standard dental cleaning usually take?
After your checkup, our hygienist will proceed with your professional cleaning. This part of your visit can take about 30 minutes, which is usually enough time to carefully remove even the most stubborn plaque and tartar using specialized dental instruments, then polish your teeth so they shine.
However, as with your exam, the total timeframe can depend on your circumstances and current dental condition.
How often do I need to get dental X-rays?
If it’s been a long time since you’ve seen a dentist, it’s normal to have questions about what to expect, and many patients are curious about how often dental X-rays are necessary.
But there are 3 different types of images that dentists use, and each has its own recommended timeframe, outlined in more detail below:
- Bitewing X-rays are probably what you think of when you think about dental imaging, and are taken once or twice annually to detect cavities or other issues that might develop below the surface.
- Periapical X-rays help identify concerns in the roots and are taken on an as-needed basis to assist with treatment planning, implementation, and follow-up.
- Panoramic X-rays are used to spot developmental or spacing issues, such as growing wisdom teeth or orthodontic concerns, and might only be required every 3 to 5 years.
How much does a routine checkup and cleaning in Millersville cost?
Most patients in the area can expect to spend between $150 and $350 for routine dental checkups and cleanings, but the total amount due can depend on your situation. For instance, if you have dental insurance, up to 100% of the cost might be covered once you’ve met your deductible, meaning you might not owe anything out-of-pocket.
But if our team finds issues, like cavities or gum disease, that require treatment, you’ll also be responsible for the cost of required services, which can increase your total invoice. We will provide a detailed estimate for your approval before implementing any such services.