Dental Exams and Teeth Cleaning in El Paso, TX
When you have a toothache or need to fix a chipped tooth, then the need to visit your dentist can be obvious. However, even if your teeth are perfectly healthy, you still need to attend routine checkup and cleaning appointments to make sure they stay that way. Generally, patients of all ages should attend a dental checkup and cleaning at least once every six months. During each visit, our team will thoroughly clean every inch of your teeth’s surfaces, especially along your gum line, as well as perform a comprehensive inspection to check for issues that may require further treatment.
Cleaning Away Harmful Substances
The plaque that clings to your teeth and eventually calcifies (hardens) into tartar is made up of hundreds of kinds of harmful oral bacteria. When enough of them gather, they can lead to things like chronic bad breath, cavities, gingivitis, and much more. At home, you can brush and floss most of this plaque away every day, but any spot you miss will quickly change into tartar. Once it does, it can’t be washed away with toothpaste and water, which is why routine professional cleanings are necessary to prevent bacteria-driven dental concerns.
Checking for Signs of Concern
In addition to thoroughly cleaning your teeth, your checkup and cleaning appointments also allow us to perform a complete examination of your teeth, gums, oral tissues, bite function, and more. This includes looking for signs of cavities and the potential need for fillings, or gingivitis and the need for periodontal cleaning. It also includes checking for indications of bruxism (teeth-grinding), TMJ disorder (jaw dysfunction), or snoring/sleep apnea, and assessing whether or not you can benefit from an appropriate, custom-designed oral appliance.
How Often Should I Schedule an Appointment?
Generally, everyone should attend a checkup and cleaning appointment at least twice a year. That’s because small spots of plaque can calcify into tartar continuously, and cleaning it away professionally at least once every six months is paramount to protecting your smile from it. If your checkup examination reveals signs of concern, then we’ll work closely with you to determine what cosmetic or restorative treatment plan would work best to address it.
Schedule Your Next Checkup & Cleaning
A regular schedule of checkup and cleaning appointments forms the foundation of an effective dental health care routine. When you’re ready to schedule an appointment, call the Sunny Smiles office nearest you in El Paso, TX, today! We have offices in East and Northeast El Paso, and happily welcome patients from all nearby communities, including Chaparral, Canutillo, Vinton, and Sunland Park, New Mexico.