The American Dental Association (ADA) and Dr. Gizachew “Dr. G” recommend patients schedule regular
six-month dental checkups and cleanings to ensure optimal oral health. Not only are these visits necessary to ensure
no problems are developing, but they give our team the chance to properly clean your teeth and gums while lowering
your risk for the most common dental problems (i.e., tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease). Even if it has been a
while since your last appointment, or you simply want to find a dentist in Eatontown you can trust to take care of
your smile, contact us today to schedule your
appointment.
What Happens During a Typical Dental Checkup?
A typical dental checkup involves being escorted to a treatment room where you will first have dental x-rays taken of
your oral cavity. These images, although not required at every appointment, allow us to fully examine the
intricacies of your smile and see what lies beneath the gum line. Dr. G will review your x-rays and perform an oral
cancer screening to ensure there are no abnormalities that might point to oral cancer. Once he has examined your
smile, he will inform you of any possible services that might be necessary. If certain problems are detected, it may
be vital that you have any of the following completed:
- A dental filling
- A dental crown
- Periodontal therapy
- Root canal therapy
- Tooth extraction
Dr. G will work to create a customized treatment plan based on your needs. Before you leave, the plan will be
discussed with you to determine if you have any questions or concerns before making your decision as to whether you
want to move forward with treatment.
What Happens During a Typical Dental Cleaning?
Apart from the dental checkup, you will receive a thorough dental cleaning from one of our skilled hygienists. After
charting your gum pockets, we will begin to remove any hardened plaque and tartar from around your teeth and gums.
Once this is completed, we will gently floss between your teeth and give them a final polish.
You can expect your smile to look and feel refreshed once we are finished, but before you leave, you will receive
additional tips and advice on how you can take better care of your oral health at home. Whether it is using certain
products or changing the way you brush or floss, we want to ensure you have the correct information to avoid any
potential decay or cavity formation between appointments.
Why Dental Checkups and Cleanings Are Important
If you’re wondering why Dr. G recommends two-yearly dental appointments, it is because your smile can change a
lot in 12 months. The foods you consume, the lifestyle habits you adopt, and the wear and tear your teeth endure can
cause your enamel to break down and bacteria to accumulate. If proper treatment isn’t administered regularly,
your teeth and gums can experience a serious decline. Not only are you at risk for serious decay, cavities, and gum
disease, but you also become more vulnerable to bone and tooth loss, oral cancer, and the possibility of worsening
overall health.
Many of the most common problems to develop inside the mouth can negatively impact the body, so it’s important
to view these appointments as crucial to your well-being.
Checkups & Cleanings FAQs
How long will my dental examination take?
It’s natural to have questions about your upcoming preventive visit, and one thing many patients want to know is how long their examination will take. This is usually the first part of your appointment, and in many cases, it only takes about 10 to 15 minutes for our team to assess your teeth, gums, soft tissues of the mouth, bite alignment, and existing dental work.
With that said, if it’s been a while since your last visit, your examination might take longer, especially if we find areas of concern that require a customized treatment plan to address.
How long do dental cleanings usually take?
Once we’ve completed your examination, our team will proceed with your professional cleaning. This part of your visit usually takes longer, because our hygienist carefully cleans and flosses each individual tooth to remove hidden plaque and bacteria that can contribute to common dental problems, such as cavities and gum disease.
It often takes about 30 minutes to complete this portion of your appointment, though it can depend on your current dental condition, at-home hygiene habits, and other factors. The more residue there is for us to clean, the longer it takes to remove.
How much does a routine checkup and cleaning cost in Eatontown, NJ?
Most patients in Eatontown can expect to pay between $150 and $350 for a standard checkup and cleaning, though the total cost can vary significantly based on your unique circumstances.
For example, dental insurance often covers up to 100% of these visits, meaning you might not owe anything out-of-pocket if you’ve already met your deductible. But you might owe more if you’re uninsured or if our team finds areas of concern, such as tooth decay or gum disease, requiring treatment.
How often should I get dental X-rays?
Our team will also recommend taking dental X-rays at least once or twice annually to help ensure that nothing is developing beneath the surface of your teeth and gums. But there are different types of imaging, each with its own recommended timetable as outlined in more detail below:
- Bitewings. These are done one or two times each year to detect cavities with enough time to treat them before they can progress.
- Periapical. These images help identify issues in the roots and are usually taken as needed to assist with treatment planning or follow-up.
- Panoramic. These images are used to identify developmental or orthodontic issues to help with wisdom tooth evaluation, orthodontics, etc.
(732) 863-3899