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Dental Checkups & Teeth Cleanings – Zionsville, IN
Closing the Door on
Lingering Oral Health Problems
Patients coming for dental checkups and teeth cleanings in our Zionsville, IN dental office have nothing to worry about. While some find it uncomfortable, it’s a very straightforward process that is simple, painless, and quick to complete. All cleanings begin with a physical exam of your entire mouth. The hygienist will use a small mirror to view all the corners of your mouth, the surfaces of your teeth, and all gum tissue for potential issues. If they find anything of concern, they may ask the Dr. Julovich to examine the area before proceeding with the cleaning.
Once they’ve handled all issues or finished the examination, they’ll begin the process of removing tartar, plaque, brushing your teeth with a high-powered toothbrush and toothpaste, flossing, rinsing, and applying fluoride treatment as necessary.
Why Choose Trinity Dental for Dental Checkups & Teeth Cleanings?
- Happy to Treat Patients of All Ages
- We Accept Dental Insurance
- We Use the Latest Dental Technology
When Should You Bring Your Child to the Dentist?
Your child’s first visit to their Zionsville dentist should occur within six months of their first tooth erupting or by their first birthday. However, dental cleanings don’t typically begin until they are between 12 and 36 months of age. By starting early, our team can remove plaque and tartar buildup before it becomes a problem.
Before their cleaning, let us know if your child will be defiant or fussy so we can better prepare and make their appointment as stress-free as possible. Briefly explain to them how important dental cleanings are and that Dr. Julovich only wants to count their teeth and give them a quick cleaning.
After the cleaning, you’ll also get the chance to speak with our team about proper at-home techniques and treatments that offer additional protection, including dental sealants and fluoride varnishes.
The Importance of Routine Teeth Cleanings & Dental Checkups
According to your dentist as well as the American Dental Association, it’s important to visit our dental office at least once every six months. This allows our team to catch dental issues and treat them before they cause significant damage and require restorative treatments. However, the amount of times you visit may vary depending on certain health conditions or habits you have.
For example, if you’re at high-risk for dental disease, we may want to see you for cleanings and exams every three to four months. Patients in this group include:
- Smokers
- People who are pregnant
- Those with active gum disease or frequent plaque buildup
- Those with a weak immune system, bacterial infection, or other chronic condition
Keep in mind that no amount of at-home care is enough to skip routine dental visits entirely. While decay and gum disease are the most common problems looked for, routine cleanings are also meant to help patients catch oral cancer and early signs of other diseases.
Dental Checkups & Teeth Cleanings Frequently Asked Questions
Ready for your next cleaning? We normally recommend that our patients return to our dental office every six months so that we can get rid of all the plaque and tartar that might have built up on their teeth since their last visit. If you have any questions about the process or your oral hygiene overall, feel free to ask Dr. Julovich during your visit. Here are just a few things patients often want to know.
Why Do I Need a Dental Cleaning If I Brush and Floss Every Day?
Brushing at least twice a day and flossing daily will help you prevent cavities and gum disease, but unfortunately there’s only so much you can do on your own. All of the various surfaces in your mouth are vulnerable to the buildup of bacteria, but there are certain spots that you’ll have a hard time reaching by yourself. Also, brushing and flossing will only remove plaque, which is relatively loose; if the plaque has hardened into tartar, you’ll no longer be able to do anything about it on your own. A professional dental cleaning is the most reliable way to clean every part of your mouth and get rid of all harmful substances.
What Should I Do Before a Dental Cleaning?
While you don’t necessarily need to do anything special to get ready for a dental cleaning, there are a few things you should keep in mind:
- Make a list of any questions you have for us before we begin the process.
- Tell us ahead of time about any anxiety or concerns you have ahead of time so that we can accommodate you as needed.
- If you haven’t been keeping up with your oral hygiene routine, don’t overbrush in an attempt to make it up; you’ll only irritate your gums. (On that note, be honest about your oral care habits when we ask.)
Why are the Teeth Polished at the End of a Dental Cleaning?
Once we have removed plaque and tartar from your teeth via scaling, we’ll finish it off with a polishing. This will make the surface of the enamel feel smoother, and you may even notice that your teeth look whiter afterwards. However, the primary purpose of polishing is to remove tiny bits of debris and plaque that might have been missed while scaling. As a result, there will be less bacteria in your mouth, and thus less of a risk of losing tooth enamel to decay.
What is the Cost of a Dental Cleaning?
Since a dental cleaning is usually performed at the same time as a checkup, you’ll need to take the cost of both into account. The amount you will need to pay out of pocket varies depending on whether you have dental insurance. A dental cleaning will be covered on virtually all PPO plans, although the exact percentage they’ll pay for can vary depending on the carrier. Feel free to give us a call to figure out in advance how much you can expect to pay.