Dental Checkups and Cleanings – Shelburne, VT
The Best Way to Maintain Your Healthy Smile
Routine dental checkups and cleanings are a crucial part of any good oral hygiene regimen. So, even if you’ve been brushing and flossing consistently, or you aren’t experiencing any abnormal dental symptoms, you need to visit our Shelburne dental team every six months – it’s one of the best ways to maintain your healthy smile! If you want to learn more about the importance of these routine appointments, don’t hesitate to read on or give our team a call.
Why Choose Shelburne Village Dentistry for Dental Checkups and Cleanings?
- Top-Rated Dentist on Google
- Comfort Amenities Available During Visits
- Dental Insurance Welcome
Why Are Regular Dental Checkups & Cleanings Important?
From small cavities to advanced gum disease, many serious oral health concerns are largely preventable if you care for your smile properly. That includes visiting us every six months for a checkup and cleaning! With the X-rays and the oral exam, we can detect tooth decay, oral cancer, and more in the early stages. The cleaning portion serves an important purpose as well: it ensures plaque and tartar are removed from your teeth and along your gumline.
What to Expect During a Dental Checkup
Every year, we like to take X-rays. That way, we can take a look at what’s going on underneath the surface and catch issues (like impacted wisdom teeth) before they cause you pain. Of course, Dr. Maier will also conduct an oral exam, checking the condition of your teeth, gums, and bite in the process. Lastly, she will feel around your lymph nodes, look at the back of your throat, and look for warning signs of oral cancer. If she detects anything concerning, she will bring it to your attention. Otherwise, your checkup will be complete!
What to Expect During a Dental Cleaning
The dental cleaning is designed to do what your toothbrush and floss can’t, like remove built-up tartar. Plus, we will use special tools to clean the hard-to-reach areas of your mouth. If we notice gum inflammation or that your back molars aren’t being cleaned properly, we will bring it to your attention and provide tips on how to adjust your at-home oral hygiene routine. Before you leave, we will floss and polish your teeth as well!
Simply put, if it’s been more than six months since your last checkup and cleaning, don’t wait any longer to schedule your next appointment. That way, we can find dental problems early on and prevent others from developing down the line!
Checkups & Cleanings FAQs
How Long Does a Dental Exam Take?
A dental exam is the first part of your routine checkup, and Dr. Maier can usually complete a regular exam in about ten to fifteen minutes. This will include a visual examination of your teeth, gums, tongue, and other oral tissues so she can look for signs of decay, infection, and alignment issues. She’ll also answer any questions you have about your dental health and oral hygiene. She’ll carefully inspect your soft tissues for signs of oral cancer, a dangerous medical condition that is important to detect early. Dr. Maier will also evaluate any existing dental work such as fillings, crowns, and bridges and recommend repairs or replacements as necessary.
How Long Does a Regular Dental Cleaning Take?
A regular dental cleaning, which is the second part of your checkup, will usually take about thirty minutes if your teeth are already healthy and relatively clean. If you’d like to ensure that your dental cleaning takes as little time as possible, be sure to brush and floss your teeth every day and visit our office in Shelburne every six months for routine checkups. If you have gum disease or excessive accumulations of plaque and tartar, we may have to schedule you for another appointment so you can receive a deep cleaning.
What Factors Can Make My Routine Dental Checkup Take Longer?
Most dentists will schedule about an hour or an hour-and-a-half for a client’s exam and cleaning depending on whether they are a new patient or not. Your checkup may take longer than usual due to reasons like:
- Maier detecting oral health issues that need to be addressed
- The need to take X-rays so we can check for internal issues
- Consultations for additional treatments such as cosmetic dental procedures
- Discussions about how you can improve your oral hygiene routine.
Is It Okay to See My Dentist Only Once a Year?
The American Dental Association urges everyone to receive routine dental exams and cleaings every six months so their dentist can monitor their oral health, clean the hard-to-reach areas of their mouth, address oral infections in their early stages, and recommend ways to take better care of their teeth at home. When combined with excellent oral hygiene habits, regular dental checkups can help a patient prevent a host of nasty infections that can cause permanent damage. Neglecting to see your dentist twice a year can allow oral health problems to fester until they require restorative treatments that may be inconvenient or costly, so visiting our Shelburne office for regular checkups can save you lots of time and money in the long run.