Checkups And Cleanings – La Porte, IN
The Maintenance You Need For a Healthy Smile
Along with good oral hygiene habits at home, regular checkups and cleanings with one of our La Porte dentists at Region Dental are the foundation of good oral health. We do so much more than check for cavities at these visits, although that’s certainly an important part of them. Simply put, our goal is to minimize the amount of dental work you need in the long run and make sure every aspect of your oral health is in tip-top shape. If you’d like to be proactive with your oral health, give us a call to schedule a checkup and cleaning today!
What Does a Checkup Include?
During your dental exams, Dr. Berquist and Dr. Ornelas spend a lot of time looking at your teeth to make sure they’re healthy, strong, and cavity-free. But there’s a lot more to a healthy smile than teeth alone! Here are the other things we include in your checkups:
- A review of your medical history
- X-rays once per year to help us find problems when they’re small and easy to treat
- An oral cancer screening
- TMJ evaluation
- An annual gum evaluation so we can catch gum disease as soon as possible and, when necessary, recommend the appropriate treatment
- A professional cleaning
- Oral hygiene tips
- A dental exam to make sure your existing dental work is functioning well and doesn’t need any maintenance
When you schedule consistent visits that include all of these preventive measures, we’re able to limit the amount of time and money you spend in the dental chair.
Why Are Professional Cleanings So Important?
Unfortunately, even when you do a great job brushing and flossing, you can’t remove the cement-like tartar deposits that accumulate under your gumline. These bacteria-laden deposits can lead to gum disease, bad breath, and discolored teeth.
That’s why it’s so beneficial to have one of our friendly, gentle hygienists remove these deposits during your cleanings. We also polish your teeth to make them slick and smooth and review the best oral care products and techniques to use in between cleanings to keep your smile looking great.
How Often Should You Get a Checkup and Cleaning?
In general, we recommend a checkup and cleaning with one of our dentists in La Porte twice per year, although there are a few exceptions. For example, our patients with gum disease often do better by coming in 3-4 times annually to maintain their gum health.
Also, pregnant patients or those with certain medical conditions such as diabetes can also benefit from more frequent checkups. In some cases, insurance will even cover these additional visits, so it doesn’t hurt to check your plan.
With regular checkups and cleanings, you and your family can look forward to healthy, beautiful smiles for life!