- How often should I visit the dentist for an exam?How long will my visit take?Do you offer hygiene only appointments?What is scaling?Will I have to get x-rays?Is my visit covered by insurance?Can I ask questions at my appointment?
Dental Hygiene & Exams
Our team focuses on preventing future dental problems from occurring so that you can enjoy lifelong oral health.
Healthy gums and teeth are fundamental to a beautiful and healthy smile. Without proper oral hygiene, bacteria from your mouth can travel to other areas of your body and cause disease or harm. Your oral health is a window to your overall health!
Regular and routine dental hygiene appointments, examinations, and radiographs are essential for attaining and maintaining a healthy mouth.
Dental Hygiene
A professional dental cleaning allows areas in your mouth to be cleaned that cannot be readily reached at home with a toothbrush and floss. Hygienists clean above and below the gumline to remove plaque, tartar, and bacteria from these hard-to-reach areas.
At Viva Dental, our hygienists utilize traditional hand scaling and ultrasonic scaling instruments to provide the best care possible.
The goal of regular dental hygiene appointments is to improve our patient’s oral health with proper education and reduce their risk for cavities and gum disease.
Poor oral health can be linked to diabetes, heart disease, pregnancy and birth complications, and respiratory conditions.
The frequency of your hygiene visits depends on several factors. While most people are seen every 6 months for their hygiene appointment, some people may benefit by coming in every 3-4 months. Our dental team will discuss your hygiene frequency needs based on your specific individual assessment.
Dental Examination
A dental examination is ideally conducted by a dentist every 6 months. This allows the dentist to ensure your oral health is being properly maintained and monitored. It provides the patient a chance to discuss any dental concerns they may have, as well as provides the dentist with an opportunity to evaluate the head, neck, and mouth of their patients on a regular basis to ensure health and satisfaction.
Dental Radiographs
Dental X-rays are an essential component to proper oral health and maintenance. They allow your dentist to examine structures they cannot see during a routine checkup, and therefore, allows them to properly diagnose and create a comprehensive treatment plan.
Dental radiographs can detect cavities, areas of decay under existing restorations, bone loss, areas of infection, unerupted/impacted teeth, and tumors.
Most people should have dental radiographs taken every 12 months. However, some people may benefit from more frequent radiographs if they have a high caries risk or active gum disease.
Hygiene and Examination Appointments include:
- Removal of plaque/tartar/calculus
- Periodontal assessment
- Decay/cavity assessment
- Polishing teeth to remove surface stain
- Oral hygiene instructions / education
- Oral cancer screening
- TMJ Evaluations
- Fluoride treatment / varnish (if chosen)
- Radiographs / X-Rays (when needed)
- Intra-oral exam
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions.