One of the most prominent features of someone’s face is their smile, so it is essential to keep that smile bright and shining. To maintain your pearly whites, a great way is to have a consistent and thorough dental regimen at home, which includes brushing at least twice per day and flossing once. However, your personal care routine is not necessarily enough to ensure that your teeth and gums are at their healthiest. At Smile 4 Me Dental in Clermont, Florida, our professional dental staff offers a wide variety of general, family, and cosmetic services for your oral health needs, including root canals, teeth whitening, emergency services, veneers, fillings, implants, and more. We also provide you and your family dental exams, x-rays, and cleanings to enhance and complement your daily routine.  

What Does a Comprehensive Dental Exam Consist of?

Approximately every six months, it is time to make an appointment with our Clermont, Florida, dental experts for regular cleaning. A comprehensive dental cleaning and exam is designed to remove the things from your teeth that regular brushing and flossing cannot reach.   Plaque builds up on the surfaces of the teeth caused by bacteria in the mouth, which can cause decay, gum disease, and gingivitis. Tartar can then build up if the plaque is not removed. This process requires scaling. Finally, surface stains can be eliminated through polishing. Removal of plaque, tartar, and stains requires specialized tools and training, so a full dental cleaning and exam twice per year is necessary to ensure your teeth stay healthy. During your examination, our Clermont, Florida, dentist will perform gum disease and oral cancer screenings, a visual pocket decay evaluation, measurement of the gum pockets, and x-rays. Following the exam, our dental professionals will expertly clean your teeth and leave your mouth feeling fresh and protected from harmful bacteria and food stains.  

How Much is a Dental Exam?

As with any medical procedure, the costs can be expensive for your dental exams. However, at Smile 4 Me Dental, we are happy to be in-network and accept most major PPO insurance plans, including Delta Dental, Metlife, Aetna, Cigna, Careington, Guardian, Lincoln, SunLife, Principle, Ameritas and many others.  If you do not have insurance, don’t worry! We want to make sure that everyone can get dental exams and have excellent oral hygiene, so we offer an in-office Savers Plan. During your visit, feel free to ask us for more details!  

How Often Should You Get a Dental Exam?

In addition to giving your teeth and gums a deep cleaning and eliminating issues such as tartar and plaque, regular dental visits allow your dentist to check for early warning signs of more severe problems. Looking for symptoms of oral cancers or other health conditions such as diabetes can quickly be done during regular dental exams.  At Smile 4 Me Dental, we care for adults and children, so it is essential to know when children should have their first dental exam. As a parent, you are inherently concerned about your child’s health and well-being. This includes their teeth and gums. A pediatric dentist will let you know how to care for your child’s gums and mouth before their teeth come in. Their first oral exam should be scheduled six months after their first tooth comes in or by their first birthday. Most dentists will then advise you to have your children’s teeth examined and cleaned every six months. For adults, the frequency of your dental exams depends on your oral health. Someone with excellent dental health and no issues at the last exam may need a checkup once or twice a year. Those who have dental problems such as tartar or cavities may need to come in more frequently. Other circumstances may require increased visits, including pregnancy, tobacco use, cancer treatments, diabetes, heart disease, and HIV treatment. Contact us for more information on how often you should have a dental exam.  

Why Do I Have Pain During or After My Dental Cleaning?

Your gums may swell due to the removal of the buildup of tartar and plaque that may be on your teeth. When the dental cleaning begins, this swelling can cause some pain or discomfort, so be sure to tell the dentist if and when you are feeling this pain. Some people have tooth sensitivity for one reason or another, which can cause pain during or after your dental cleaning. If your gums have begun to recede due to age or acidic beverages, the teeth will become more sensitive, especially to anything cold, hot, or overly sweet. Tooth sensitivity can also cause pain during your dental cleaning.  Over brushing can damage your teeth and make them more sensitive because they become more porous. Using a toothpaste, mouthwash, mouth rinse, gel, tooth varnish, or foam, which contains fluoride, can lower your mouth’s acid level, strengthen your tooth enamel, and rebuild your teeth’s strengthening minerals, and help protect your teeth from sensitivity. Using an electric toothbrush can help relieve sensitivity because it can do a better job cleaning than a standard toothbrush. Be sure to get a soft or extra-soft brush and gently hold the toothbrush against your teeth at a slight angle while it does the work for you.  

Tips for Relieve Pain After Dental Cleaning?

If you think that you will have pain after your dental cleaning (from experience or knowledge that you have tooth sensitivity), take some type of over the counter pain reliever such as Motrin, Advil, or ibuprofen about an hour before your visit. You can make another dose about six hours after your visit to prevent the onset of pain. Consult your doctor if you are prone to bleeding issues and cannot take ibuprofen. At Smile 4 Me Dental, we are dedicated to providing you with the highest quality dental exams, cleaning, and an exceptional experience. If you are feeling anxious about your upcoming exam and cleaning, we are happy to discuss options ahead of time. We even have nitrous oxide (“laughing gas”) available to help you relax and feel less stressed during your visit.  

Need a Dental Exam, Cleaning or X-Rays? Schedule an Appointment with Us in Clermont, Florida

If you or a family member needs a dental exam, cleaning, and x-rays, contact the Clermont, Florida, oral hygiene experts at Smile 4 Me Dental. We have the knowledge, skills, and experience to provide you with excellent dental service and comfort during your visit.  You can schedule your appointment online or feel free to call us and talk to one of our friendly and knowledgeable team members. We are happy to discuss all of our services with our patients and help you get an appointment that works with your schedule.