Regular Dental Checkup in Auburn

What’s Included in Your Routine Dental Visit

During your regular visits, we take several steps to make sure your mouth is healthy and clean:

• Dental Cleanings and Exams — Your dental hygienist will clean and polish your teeth to remove lingering plaque, tartar, and harmful bacteria, paying special attention to hard-to-reach areas you might miss when brushing and flossing at home. Your dentist will then examine your teeth, gums, and existing restorations.
• Digital X-Rays — Low-radiation digital X-rays help us find cavities between teeth, bone loss, and other problems that can’t be seen with the naked eye.
• Oral Cancer Screenings — We screen your mouth, tongue, and throat for signs of oral cancer. Early detection greatly improves the odds of successful treatment.
• Gum Disease Treatment — If we see signs of gum infection, we’ll get your gums back on a healthy track quickly to help you avoid the tooth loss that can result from undiagnosed gum disease.
• Preventive Treatments — Depending on your exam, we may recommend fluoride treatments or dental sealants to help prevent future problems.

Why Is Regular Teeth Cleaning Important?

Regular dental checkups are essential for maintaining good oral health. Many dental problems, including early cavities, cracked teeth, and gum disease, cause no pain or visible symptoms at first and can only be detected by a trained dental professional. Catching them early means simpler, more affordable treatment – often a small filling instead of a root canal or crown.

Early intervention is especially important for gum disease, the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. Once gum disease damages the tooth and its supporting bone, the damage cannot be reversed – only managed, or the tooth replaced with options like dental implants. At each visit, your hygienist uses a small measuring tool to check the “pockets” between your gums and teeth, noting areas that brushing and flossing can’t reach. These measurements, combined with X-rays, help us identify early bone loss.

How Often Should You Get Dental Checkups?

Ideally, dental checkups should be scheduled every six months. At your first appointment, we’ll review your health history to understand your past and current health. After that, routine checkups help us detect changes in your oral health and keep your teeth and gums in the best possible condition.

The American Dental Association and most dentists recommend six-month visits because the cleaning and maintenance provided at each appointment is the best way to keep your teeth and gums healthy. If your mouth is free from gum disease and heavy buildup, a cleaning every six months helps prevent tartar and stains. However, if you have a history of periodontitis, we typically recommend cleanings every three to four months to keep your oral health on track.

Why Are Brushing and Flossing Important?

Brushing and flossing do more than freshen your breath – they disrupt the biofilm of bacteria that causes cavities and gum disease. We recommend brushing twice a day for two minutes and flossing once daily. With so many products on the market, our hygienists are happy to recommend the best toothbrush, toothpaste, and flossing tools for your needs. It’s also important to help children make these habits part of their daily routine; learn more about our pediatric dentistry services.

Comfortable Care for Every Patient

If dental anxiety has kept you from scheduling checkups, you’re not alone. Our gentle team will move at your pace, and we offer sedation dentistry, including nitrous oxide, to help you relax. New to our office? Visit our New Patients page, then call (207) 784-1577 to schedule your next cleaning and exam at Taylor Brook Dental Associates.

Dental Checkup FAQs