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Dental checkups and cleanings have long been considered essential to oral care. Your smile is at its best when you partner with your Framingham, Massachusetts, dentist for professional dental care. Understanding the importance of routine exams and cleanings can motivate you to schedule these visits. In this post, Dr. Arvi Duka from Framingham Family Dental Care answers your questions about checkups, cleanings, and preventive dental care.
We recommend you schedule exams and cleanings every six months or twice a year so we can monitor your oral health. If you are dealing with cavities or gum disease, we may recommend more frequent dental visits. Dr. Duka may recommend quarterly visits to address any issues promptly and maintain your oral health.
If you’re new to our office, a dental exam may consist of x-rays, a review of your oral and medical history, and a thorough oral health exam. We’ll check your gums, teeth, and bite for signs of decay, gum infection, or abnormalities. We’ll also assess previous dental work, such as fillings, crowns, or cosmetic treatments, to ensure they’re all in good shape. If we uncover dental issues, we’ll discuss options for treatment and schedule future appointments to ensure this work gets done. We may also do an oral cancer screening at this time.
Our hygienist will inspect your teeth visually and then clean them. A routine cleaning consists of removing plaque, tartar, and surface stains and polishing them to leave them smooth and shiny. We use special tools to get your teeth spotlessly clean to avoid problems with cavities or gum disease.
A routine cleaning can take 45 minutes to an hour to complete. If x-rays are part of your visit, your cleaning session can take longer. Routine cleanings are designed to remove plaque and tartar above the gum line of your teeth. To remove plaque and tartar accumulated under the gum line, Dr. Duka will schedule a deeper cleaning called scaling and root planing treatment.
Yes! Biannual checkups and cleanings are part of preventive dental care. Through routine checkups, Dr. Duka can spot problems early when they’re much easier to treat. Preventing some issues can help you avoid expensive treatments in the future. Routine dental care is key to keeping your pearly whites healthy and bright at every stage of your life.
If you live in or near Framingham, MA, you can visit Framingham Family Dental Care for all your dental needs. Contact Dr. Arvi Duka at (508) 665-2016 to schedule an appointment.