Teeth Cleaning & Dental Exam

Our dental examination generally includes:

• Professional teeth cleaning by certified dental hygienist
• Digital dental X-rays
• Screening for gum disease and tooth decay
• Oral cancer screening
• Occlusal analysis including examination of the TMJ and jaw position

It is estimated that 3 out of 4 American adults have some form of gum disease. Routine visits to the dentist for teeth cleaning and examinations can help prevent gum disease by enabling Dr. Wettstein and his staff to spot the early signs of gum disease and provide conservative treatment.

Most people find that cleanings are painless, and find the tickling vibrations, cooling mist of water, and feeling of pressure during “scraping” – do not cause discomfort. A lot of people even report that they enjoy cleanings and the lovely smooth feel of their teeth afterwards!

Be sure to let us know if you find things are getting too uncomfortable for your liking. We can recommend various options to make the cleaning more enjoyable such as a spot of nitrous oxide or sedation. If your gum tissues are sensitive, topical numbing gels can be used.

The dental ‘probe’ or ‘explorer’ can be used by your dentist to gently feel the bumps and valleys on the surface of the tooth. If the dentist notices any ‘tackiness’ on the surface of the tooth, it might be a soft area which would indicate decay is present.
Unfortunately these areas of early decay may not show up on an x-ray. So our dentist will be as gentle as possible when touching your teeth with the explorer.

A lot of people are scared of the probe because for years, the ‘gold standard’ for checking for decay was to stick the probe in and give it a good shove! We now recognize that using too much force can compromise the tooth structure. While the explorer may still have to be used to figure out if decay is present, it is used much more gently nowadays.

Regular dental visits are important because they can help spot dental health problems early on when treatment is likely to be simpler and more affordable. They also help prevent many problems from developing in the first place. Visiting your dentist regularly is also important because some diseases or medical conditions have symptoms that can appear in the mouth.

• Your teeth are sensitive to hot or cold
• Your gums are puffy and/or they bleed when you brush or floss
• You have fillings, crowns, dental implants, dentures, etc.
• You don’t like the way your smile or teeth look
• You have persistent bad breath or bad taste in your mouth
• You are pregnant
• You have pain or swelling in your mouth, face or neck
• You have difficulty chewing or swallowing
• You have a family history of gum disease or tooth decay
• You have a medical condition such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, eating disorders or are HIV positive
• Your mouth is often dry
• You smoke or use other tobacco products
• You are undergoing medical treatment such as radiation, chemotherapy or hormone replacement therapy
• Your jaw sometimes pops or is painful when opening and closing, chewing or when you first wake up; you have an uneven bite
• You have a spot or sore that doesn’t look or feel right in your mouth and it isn’t going away

Yes. Even if you don’t have any symptoms, you can still have dental health problems that only a dentist can diagnose. Regular dental visits will also help prevent problems from developing. Continuity of care is an important part of any health plan and dental health is no exception. Keeping your mouth healthy is an essential piece of your overall health. It’s also important to keep your dentist informed of any changes in your overall health since many medical conditions can affect your dental health too.