Dental Exam and Cleaning

Step One

If this is your first time visiting a dental office, that is okay! Here is what you can expect. First, a friendly receptionist greets you at the counter and provides you with some paperwork to fill out about your insurance and health history. You can even take a minute to brush and floss your teeth in the restroom if you couldn’t before you arrived.

Step Two

Then, a knowledgeable, attentive dental hygienist takes you to an exam room where you recline in a comfortable chair. The hygienist may take digital x-rays if needed for that visit. They ask you about any problems you are having and get to know more about you.

Step Three

Then the hygienist uses sterilized metal teeth-cleaning tools, called scalers, to deep clean the plaque and tartar from your teeth and gum line. The scraping is not painful, but you feel pressure and hear the sound. Or your dental practice may use an ultrasonic scaler to clean the tartar.

Step Four

Once the tartar is gone, the hygienist uses a gritty kind of toothpaste to clean your teeth very thoroughly. Your teeth will look and feel super shiny and smooth. The hygienist may demonstrate proper brushing and flossing techniques so you can take great care of your teeth at home. Then you get a special fluoride treatment at the dentist’s office that coats your teeth to help prevent cavities.

Step Five

Next, the dentist arrives and talks with you. They check your teeth and gums for any cavities, gum disease, or periodontal disease and perform a quick and painless oral cancer screening. You get a verbal report on the health of your teeth and gums.

If there are any problems, the dentist recommends necessary treatments. You can also ask questions about your teeth and any orthodontic or cosmetic dentistry procedures you may have. You can get all the educational information you need to take good care of your teeth at home so your teeth will be in good shape for your next visit.