Dental Checkups & Teeth Cleanings in Virginia Beach
What does it take to enjoy a lifetime of good oral health? First and foremost, it takes daily brushing and flossing. We recommend brushing at least twice a day, or after each meal, if you can. We also recommend flossing at least once a day, preferably just before bedtime. Adding a quality mouthwash to your regimen also helps by controlling bacteria and plaque.
Of course, brushing and flossing aren't the only things you should do to ensure that your smile stays strong and healthy. Routine cleanings and dental exams are also important. The American Dental Association recommends seeing your dentist twice a year, or every six months, for a checkup.
What to Expect During Your Dental Checkup
During a dental checkup, your hygienist uses advanced tools to clean every inch of your smile including areas that are hard to clean with basic brushing and flossing. On top of this, Dr. Esparza completes a thorough visual exam looking for signs of decay or cracks, in addition to gum disease, teeth grinding, and oral cancer.
At the end of your appointment, we're happy to discuss findings and recommend treatment for you. If you have questions about the plan we put forward, we're happy to answer them. Dr. Esparza wants each of her patients to feel 100 percent comfortable with the recommendations she makes.
Do I Really Need to See a Dentist Every Six Months?
The short answer to this question is yes. Maintaining routine visits reduces your potential for developing serious dental issues. Even small cavities, left untreated long enough, have a serious impact on your oral health. When caught early, these problems can be controlled with modest changes to your smile.
Is It Time for Your Next Dental Checkup?
If it's been more than six months since your last appointment with Dr. Esparza, we hope you'll contact our Virginia Beach office for an appointment. Our friendly team looks forward to serving you and the other members of your family.
Checkups & Cleanings FAQs
How Long Does a Dental Exam Take?
When Dr. Esparza sees you for your dental exam, she will carefully inspect your teeth, gums, tongue, and other oral tissues for signs of problems like infections and oral cancer. She’ll also check your bite to see if your teeth are moving out of position and inspect any existing crowns, bridges, dentures, and dental implants. She’ll also take the time to answer any questions you have about your oral health and hygiene habits. In most cases, a dental exam will take about ten to fifteen minutes.
How Long Does a Regular Dental Cleaning Take?
If you don’t have advanced gum disease, you will probably need a regular dental cleaning that can take thirty minutes or more. However, patients with gum disease symptoms may need restorative treatments that can make their cleaning process take more time. If a patient requires more intensive procedures to address severe accumulations of infectious material on and in their gum tissue, they may need multiple appointments. Patients who practice excellent oral hygiene habits like brushing at least twice and flossing at least once every day are significantly more likely to need less time for their regular dental cleanings.
How Often Do I Need to Get Dental X-rays?
We’ll usually take a new set of dental X-rays when we see you for your routine checkups every six months, and they only take a few minutes. However, the type of X-ray you need during a particular appointment can vary. Bitewing X-rays are usually taken every year to check for cavities, and panoramic X-rays are usually taken every three to five years so we can evaluate how the mouth is developing. Periapical X-rays may be necessary to provide data when we are planning a treatment such as dental implant placement. Factors that can make you more likely to need X-rays include age, oral health history, family health history, and existing medical conditions.
What Factors Can Lengthen My Regular Dental Appointment?
We’ll usually schedule an hour or an hour-and-a-half for a patient’s exam and cleaning depending on whether we have seen them before or not. If we find signs of problems like cavities or gum disease, your treatment may take longer so we can address them with an appropriate restorative treatment. Your appointment may also take longer if you’d like to discuss your candidacy for restorative or cosmetic procedures. We may also need to take certain types of X-rays depending on how long it has been since you last received them, and we’ll be happy to answer any questions you have about your dental health and oral hygiene habits.
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