Caring for your teeth is both a medical and cosmetic issue. Your smile is one of the first things people notice about you, and problems in your mouth can create or indicate problems in other parts of your body. That’s why proper dental care, including cleanings, is critical. But if you don’t know what to expect from a dental exam or cleaning, going to the dentist can be intimidating, and possibly even downright scary.

We want to ease your mind prior to your visit as much as possible. We hope the information provided on this page will make you feel better about what’s coming, and make you feel more confident about scheduling your appointment.

Why you need regular cleanings

The mouth is under a lot of stress. You use it to eat, to drink, to talk, and in some cases, you even grind your teeth. All of these things take a toll on your body. Proper brushing, flossing and rinsing at home goes a long way toward keeping your mouth healthy, but even with the best at-home care, tartar and plaque can still build up. Regular cleanings remove this tartar and plaque before it can create a problem elsewhere in the body. Regular cleanings and dentist visits also ensure that we can catch cavities before they destroy the tooth, and allow us to simply assess the overall health of your mouth.

What to expect from a cleaning

First, the dentist will do a general examination of your mouth, looking for tooth decay or gum disease, and possibly order X-rays to look for signs of problems that aren’t visible.

After that, the hygienist looks for cavities and any fillings you already have to ensure their integrity is still intact. She’ll then use special tools to remove the tartar and plaque from your teeth. As she does these things, she’ll keep you informed of her findings, letting you know where problems exist, and what you can do to improve or prevent them going forward. She may use a polishing compound and apply a fluoride treatment to finish up.

Cleanings typically don’t hurt, but if you’re anxious, let us know so we can help you with that. A regular dental exam and cleaning is critical to your overall health, as well as your visual appearance, so it’s important you don’t delay. Our energetic and enthusiastic Port Washington dental staff is eager to assist you with your dental health, so come check out our office. If the atmosphere and local feel don’t put you at ease, talking with one of our experienced staff will.