Dental Checkups and Cleanings – Toledo, OH

Not sure when you last visited a dentist in Toledo for a dental cleaning and checkup? You should pick up the phone if it’s been at least six months since your last visit. Not only is it what the dentists at Dental Group West recommend, but the American Dental Association as well. Doing so will help you maintain healthy teeth and gums, catch underlying dental problems, and save money on expensive restorative and emergency treatment down the road. Set up your appointment today by giving us a call!

What Happens During a Checkup?

During your biannual dental visit, we start by completing your checkup (or exam.) Here, one of our dentists will examine all the areas of your mouth, such as your teeth, gums, and oral tissue. They will also go over your X-rays to make sure nothing out of the ordinary is present. For example, exams can confirm if gum disease or tooth decay has already begun to develop. Routine oral cancer screenings are also essential as dentists are in a unique position to catch this condition earlier (which is crucial for more effective treatment later.) If our office finds any dental problems, we’ll recommend a treatment plan to you following the exam.

What Happens During a Cleaning?

Once we reach the second half of your appointment, we can begin the cleaning portion. One of our highly-trained hygienists will begin removing plaque and tartar using a dedicated scaler. They will also use a mirror to make sure no harmful material is left behind in the hard-to-reach areas of your mouth. Dental cleanings are a key part of your long-term prevention and remain necessary on top of your at-home brushing and flossing. With that said, our hygienists will always floss your teeth during your cleaning as well. Following this step of your cleaning, they’ll finish it off with a detailed polish of each individual tooth. This will work to break apart stains and make your smile look brighter!

Why Routine Preventive Visits Matter

If you’re wondering why dental appointments matter, don’t worry, you’re not the only one. Even if you have a very strict brushing and flossing regimen at home, it’s not enough to call your long-term oral care complete. Not only are our team members very knowledgeable and trained to keep your mouth clean from top to bottom, but they can catch dental problems before they turn into expensive issues later.

For example, our dentists can:

• Detect oral cancer sooner (and therefore improve treatment)
• Catch problems that are often hidden from the naked eye (through digital X-rays)
• Confirm when bad habits are present, such as smoking and nail-biting, both of which negatively impact your oral health
• Remove plaque and tartar (its more calcified form that brushing and flossing cannot remove)
• Catch early signs of gum disease, which often has very few or no visible symptoms

Dental Checkups and Cleanings FAQs

The above information is designed to help you get a better understanding of what to expect at your bi-yearly visits to the dentist and why these appointments are so important. However, it’s completely natural to still have a few questions on your mind, which is why we’ve responded to some FAQs we get from patients below. If you would prefer to speak directly with our team or simply can’t find the answer you’re looking for, request an appointment!