Cleanings and Checkups

Prevention is the cornerstone of high-quality general dentistry and overall health. In conjunction with daily brushing and flossing, routine dental cleanings and exams are designed to keep the teeth, gums, and mouth healthy and pristine by monitoring and managing bacterial overgrowth and disease development.

At Local Dental San Antonio, Dr. Joung Lee and Dr. Minkyung Lee effectively execute uncritical cleanings and exams while ensuring that patients of all ages can unwind with world-class amenities, like TVs and headphones in the ops and aromatherapy plus play areas and incentives for children.

What are dental cleanings and exams?

For the most part, dental exams are performed before a dental cleaning. Our San Antonio teeth-cleaning dentists take their time with every patient to ensure that individuals feel welcome and unrushed:

Dental Exam

Generally, cleaning and exams start with a dental check-up. Our dental team performs a visual exam, measures gum pockets, and inscribes paperless dental records to document real-time patient conditions.

Additionally, our dentists might recommend low-radiation digital x-rays if you’re a first-time patient or annually to see what’s beneath the surface of the smile and to create more effective treatment plans.

During the check-up portion, our dentists carefully looks for tooth decay, gum disease, and oral cancer symptoms.

Dental Cleaning

What is dental cleaning? While there are many types of dental cleanings, basic dental cleanings are designed to remove food particles, bacteria, and tartar between and on the teeth.

Professional dental cleaning is far more advantageous than daily brushing and flossing because our talented dentists and dental hygienists utilize tools that eradicate germs in hard-to-reach areas and deep-set tartar—accomplishing a level of hygiene that standard at-home tools are incapable of reaching.

One of the reasons why we need six month check-ups is that is takes six months for small cavities to grow bigger enough to cause problems. Dental cleanings every six months are also critical in order to prevent gum disease which is the No.1 cause of loss in adults in the U.S.

Is it time to schedule a dental exam and cleaning?

Many patients have questions about regular oral health maintenance. A top patient among patients is, “how often should you get your teeth cleaned?” For most children, teens, and adults, we recommend booking a dental check-up and cleaning once every six months to reap the benefits of dental cleaning and to clear away any caked-on plaque, tartar, and minor stains that may have built up since your previous visit.

Treatment Expectations

For new patients, we strongly suggest filling out new patient forms and submitting insurance information for a more efficient first visit.

How long does a teeth cleaning take? Paired with a standard dental check-up, patients typically anticipate basic dental cleanings and exams to last between 60 and 90 minutes. We’ve outlined what to expect before, during, and after each check-up and cleaning appointment:

Before

Generally, patients feel comfortable enough during dental exams and cleanings and do not require anesthesia or sedation. Still, patients who suffer from severe gag reflexes, have trouble sitting still, or face other challenges could benefit from safely administered dental sedation.

During

Typically, our dental team examines the mouth, gums, and teeth before cleaning them. Based on needs, our knowledgeable dentists might recommend scaling and root planing, fluoride treatment, or dental sealants.

After

Enjoy your sparkling smile and parting gifts! Before walking out the door, please don’t forget to schedule your next dental exam and cleaning. Our team always looks forward to servicing our brand-new and loyal patients.

Reimagine Self-Care with Routine Dental Cleanings and Exams

When was your last dental cleaning and exam? If it’s been over six months, take advantage of our online booking or conveniently call (210) 686-1486. The San Antonio community can trust the Local Dental team to keep individuals and families healthy, happy, and feeling at home.