Why is it important to see a dentist for teeth cleanings?
Regular teeth cleanings and dental exams are important to maintaining a healthy smile and preventing larger issues.
A professional cleaning and dental checkup every six months can help reveal early signs of oral diseases before you even know about them. They also prevent oral health complications and lower your healthcare costs in the long run.
Our friendly dentists and staff focus on preventive care in a comfortable and pain free environment to help maintain a patient’s healthy teeth and gums for life . We take care of adults, children and seniors, keeping every individual’s dental needs in mind.
How often should I see my dentist for a check-up?
In short, it depends! For people with healthy gums and no major dental health problems, we generally recommend seeing us for check-ups and teeth cleanings in Redding or Red Bluff every 6 months (about twice per year).
If you have periodontal disease, you may need several treatments at the beginning to arrest your active inflammation, followed by teeth cleanings every 3 or 4 months until your gums heal completely.
Some people benefit from more frequent teeth cleanings, even if they’re in good health. For example, you may want to get a dental cleaning several times per year if:
- Your teeth become heavily stained between cleanings.
- You’ve had periodontal disease in the past, even if you’re currently healthy.
- You tend to develop cavities easily.
- You build up heavy plaque or tartar between cleanings.
- You take medications that can cause your gums to become enlarged.
- You have a medical condition such as being pregnant, which can increase your risk for gingivitis.
As always, at Moore, Pascarella & Heinzen, we don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach to dentistry. And that includes routine check-ups and teeth cleanings!
With thorough examinations and focused attention, we’ll work with you to tailor your personalized dental hygiene plan to protect your oral health long-term while being mindful of your busy schedule and budget.
What to expect during a dental exam
The first step of a regular dental exam is to check in with you! We’ll always take the time to listen to any concerns you have so we can address them and find solutions to help you enjoy a strong, comfortable, beautiful smile.
After that, we’ll perform a thorough examination for early signs of tooth decay, gum disease and oral cancer. The best way to check all around the structures of the teeth, gums, and jaw is routine dental X-rays and digital diagnostics.
These pictures of your teeth help us see everything clearly and give us the best place to start when making your treatment plan.
At Moore & Pascarella, we use digital X-rays to get a closer look at the roots of your teeth and to check for hidden cavities. Digital X-rays are comfortable, often create better quality pictures, are easy for us to store in your file, and can better detect early signs of tooth and gum issues than traditional X-ray technology. Using digital X-rays also minimizes your exposure to the radiation associated with traditional X-rays.
As part of our commitment to always deliver the most conservative and proactive preventive dentistry, we also use laser cavity detection, intraoral scanners, and a fully digital workflow to collect precision diagnostics quickly and comfortably, without adding unnecessary expenses for you.
From there, we’ll perform a detailed tooth-by-tooth analysis, oral cancer screening, and gum disease evaluation, also called a periodontal exam.
What to expect during a periodontal exam
Your teeth aren’t the only part of your mouth that gets attention during your dental checkup. A periodontal examination is an evaluation of the structures that support your teeth, including the gums, ligaments, and bone sockets.
This is a vital part of how we protect your dental health. During a periodontal exam, our team will check the areas of your gums around your teeth and look for the symptoms of gingivitis , a periodontal condition that is common in children and adults.
Left untreated, the inflammatory process that starts with gingivitis can progress, creating deep gum pockets that can trap debris and bacteria. Detailed measurements of the pockets around each tooth allow us to determine the right approach to your teeth cleanings, so we can treat active gum disease and stop it from progressing.
What to expect during your teeth cleaning
During a routine dental cleaning, our experienced and gentle dental hygienist will remove plaque and tartar from your teeth, and check your gums and mouth for any oral health problems. We’ll also polish your to remove any surface stains and brighten your smile. We’ll floss thoroughly to remove any last debris and leave you with a fully fresh feeling.
If you haven’t been to the dentist regularly, we also provide deep cleanings to treat gum disease when needed. The buildup of tartar and plaque around the teeth can cause the gums to become uncomfortably swollen. A deep cleaning and good oral hygiene habits can arrest gum disease and even reverse gingivitis and early stages of periodontal disease before larger problems develop. Periodontal cleanings focus on buildup above and below the gum line, and we’ll make sure the process is as relaxed and comfortable as possible while we give your gums the special attention they need.
Depending on your level of gum disease, it may take more than one cleaning to restore your smile to its best and brightest. Our experienced team will evaluate your gums and let you know if any special cleanings and treatments are necessary, and they will also help you develop an easy plan to help you take care of your gums at home.
Next-level preventive dentistry: strengthening your teeth with fluoride treatments
At the end of your dental check up, we will typically recommend a fluoride treatment to keep your teeth in the best shape possible until your next visit with us. Fluoride is a naturally-occurring mineral that can help make teeth stronger and prevent cavities. Fluoride treatments help by supporting enamel, the outer protective layer of each tooth, and by fighting off the harmful bacteria that can cause cavities.
Why choose Moore & Pascarella for your next teeth cleaning in Redding and Red Bluff
In any and all dental cleanings and treatments, your comfort is our top priority. Our friendly staff will ensure the entire visit is pleasant and pain free. For apprehensive patients and children, Moore & Pascarella offers a wide array of sedation options to help avoid even the slightest anxiety.
At Moore & Pascarella, we believe that dentistry is as much about a great patient experience as it is about the best technology and care. Rest assured that when you visit our offices, our friendly, caring and compassionate staff will always go the extra mile for your comfort and deliver superior dental care.
Get in touch to schedule your new patient examination and teeth cleaning in Redding or Red Bluff, and come get to know us. We love to help you smile!
