Dental Checkups & Cleanings – Belmont, MA
The Key to a Long-Lasting Smile
Some people choose to avoid going to the dentist unless they have a toothache or another oral health issue. However, this approach means you’re more likely to need complex (and costly) dental work. It’s much better to prevent oral problems from happening altogether, which is the goal of biannual checkups and cleanings. Has it been some time since you last saw the dentist? Reach out today to schedule a preventive appointment with Dr. Salibian in the near future!
Why Choose EyeSmile Optometry & Dental Care of Belmont for Dental Checkups and Cleanings?
- Eye and Dental Care in One Location
- Patients of All Ages are Welcome
- Team That Prioritizes Comfort and Safety
Why Are Regular Dental Checkups & Cleanings Important?
Even if you brush and floss every day, you could still develop cavities and gum disease. What makes these oral health issues particularly problematic is that they often form silently. That means that by the time you notice any symptoms, the condition may have already reached its advanced stages, making it much more difficult to treat. Dental checkups and cleanings improve your chances of either avoiding such issues altogether or catching them while they’re still relatively easy to manage.
Another important fact to keep in mind is that most dental insurance plans offer 100% coverage for checkups and cleanings (as well as other types of preventive care). In contrast, coverage for restorative work is usually between 50% and 80%. The reasoning dental insurance companies use is that preventive care can reduce the amount of dental work you need overall; you’ll therefore stand to save a lot more money by being proactive about visiting the dentist.
What to Expect During a Dental Checkup
While you probably already know that your dentist is looking for cavities during your regular checkups, they’re taking other steps to protect your smile as well, such as:
- Making necessary updates to your medical history.
- Taking X-rays at least once a year to identify any problems that might not be caught with a simple visual examination.
- Performing an oral cancer screening to see if there are any symptoms that might call for a biopsy.
- Checking for signs of gum disease that could put the rest of the smile at risk.
- Examining crowns and other types of dental work to make sure they’re still in good shape.
- Answering any questions you might have about your dental health or your care.
What to Expect During a Dental Cleaning
During our examination, we may find plaque and tartar that have accumulated in places you’ve missed while brushing and flossing. Leaving these harmful substances alone can lead to bad breath, cavities, gum disease, and other problems. As such, we’ll make a point of completely removing any plaque and tartar that we find.
The process involves using special instruments to gently scrape these substances off of your teeth and gums. Once we’re done, we’ll give your smile a quick polish, then go over strategies you can use to protect your smile until your next visit.