Teeth Cleanings & Dental Exams in Scottsdale, AZ
Dr. Jeffrey D. Clark recommends regular dental checkups as an essential component of sustaining optimal oral health throughout a lifetime. The unfortunate truth is that many people take a break-fix approach to their teeth. In other words, they only see a dentist when there is an obvious problem. We all lead busy lives and have budgets to manage, and so if you aren’t experiencing sensitivity, outright pain, discoloration, receding gums, and so on, you may not feel motivated to schedule your next regular appointment at Scottsdale Cosmetic Dentistry Excellence. But biannual dental exams are just as important as annual physicals and eye exams and help you deal with oral issues before they become serious and expensive.
What Happens During a Dental Cleaning and Exam?
A regular checkup at our Scottsdale office will include an oral exam in addition to digital X-rays (as needed) in order to identify gingivitis, or more serious periodontal disease, infections, tooth decay, impacted teeth, and so forth. If any underlying issues are found, Dr. Clark will discuss them with you, explore your treatment options, answer any questions you may have, and then develop a personalized treatment plan. Filling cavities and other such procedures will be performed after your teeth are cleaned by our dental hygienist.
Teeth cleaning is generally performed right after the examination has concluded. Our skilled, experienced hygienist will employ sophisticated, specialized tools to scrape away any dental plaque and calculus and remove any stains that have developed above and below the gumline. These tools can access even those areas where regular brushing and flossing cannot reach in order to eliminate all plaque and tartar. Once these harmful substances are removed, your hygienist will polish your teeth using a polishing paste and a reciprocating prophy angle. This refinement not only makes your teeth whiter to a degree, but it also makes them smoother, which means that food particles, plaque, and so forth have a more difficult time adhering.
Oral Cancer Screening
Dr. Clark and his team are dedicated not only to your oral health but your overall well-being. Part of our commitment to delivering holistic dentistry in Scottsdale, we perform oral cancer screening as part of every regular dental exam. Oral cancer is serious if not identified and cared for early on, but survival rates increase with early detection, and dentists are often the medical professionals who make the initial diagnoses. You can read more about what screening involves on our oral cancer screening page.
Fluoride Treatment
Fluoride treatments are often associated with dental care for children because fluoride is an effective deterrent for cavities. However, adults who are prone to cavities can benefit from this as well. Cavities occur when bacteria attack the teeth, but tooth decay can be even worse and more prevalent when that bacteria exists below the gumline and leads to plaque and eventually tartar. Plaque and tartar eat away at your tooth enamel, however fluoride can remineralize the enamel and strengthen it.
You can have a fluoride treatment performed during your regular visit at Scottsdale Cosmetic Dentistry Excellence. Dr. Clark typically recommends treatment every six or 12 months, which coincides conveniently with regular checkups, and the process does not take much time. If you are at high risk of tooth decay, Dr. Clark can also prescribe a fluoride product that you can use at home during your routine oral hygiene.
Protect Your Oral Health With Regular Dental Checkups
Ensure your oral health with regular checkups during which Dr. Clark will examine your teeth, and one of his expert dental hygienists will clean them. Dr. Clark is a highly skilled and experienced dentist who uses the latest technologies and techniques to help his patients at Scottsdale Cosmetic Dentistry Excellence avoid infections, diseases, and other issues that can undermine oral health. Whether you have recently moved to the Greater Scottsdale area or a long-time resident simply in need of a fresh start with a new dental provider, we encourage you to schedule your next checkup with us. Call us today at 480 585 1853 with any questions you may have and to book that appointment.
