Dental Cleanings & Checkups in Frisco

The eyes may be the window to the soul, but your smile speaks volumes. Keeping it healthy and bright will ensure that it is saying what you want it to say. Parklane Family Dentistry’s Frisco dentist will help you keep your smile bright and healthy with annual or bi-annual dental checkups and professional cleanings. Regular dental exams give us the opportunity to stop small issues from developing into large, expensive and often painful problems. “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” and preventive dentistry is a prime example.

Getting your teeth cleaned professionally is a must at every stage of life. In the early years, it helps prevent cavities from forming. Later in life, professional cleanings keep your teeth healthy, and more importantly, they also keep gum disease at bay. Did you know that many older adults lose their teeth, not to decay, but to gum disease? It’s a silent thief that ruins your oral health without you being aware that damage is occurring.

A visit to Parklane Family Dentistry will help you maintain oral health and keep your teeth and gums functioning properly for a very long time. It makes sense to see the dentist before a problem develops. Do not wait until a visit is more or less mandatory due to the infection of the tooth or gums. With a thorough exam, we can prevent serious issues from cropping up and address any problems that are present.

Comprehensive Dental Exams

When you come to Parklane Family Dentistry for your comprehensive dental exam, we take the time to check with you about every aspect of your oral health. In addition to an in-depth examination of your teeth and gums, including digital x-rays, we also perform an oral cancer screening. This simple examination of your oral soft tissues (tongue, cheeks and lips) could save your life. Only about 20% of the average population has this important exam performed. Oral cancers affect about 50,000 people each year. Of those, approximately one person will die every day. What people often do not realize is that oral cancers have a very high cure rate if they are caught early.

The dental team at Parklane Family Dentistry is committed to providing excellent oral care to all our patients. If you are looking for a dental team that always has your best interests and oral health as a priority, contact us today. We want to keep you and your family members in optimal oral health.

Importance of Dental Cleanings

• Improve discoloration – Dental cleanings remove surface stains and polish your teeth so they look whiter and brighter. A dental cleaning is a good way to preserve the results of a professional teeth whitening treatment before getting a touch-up.
• Remove plaque and tartar buildup – When you don’t properly brush and floss regularly, you’ll get a buildup of plaque on your teeth which can harden into tartar and increase your risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Plaque can be difficult to remove yourself and tartar must be professionally removed.
• Reduce your risk of gum disease – Through checkups and cleanings, we can detect gum disease early enough that it’s still reversible. When you leave gum disease untreated, it leads to irreversible periodontitis and can cause tooth loss. Thankfully, gingivitis can be reversed with a simple dental cleaning.
• Save money & time – By taking preventative measures to protect the health of your teeth and gums, you reduce your risk of getting tooth decay and gum disease.This ultimately saves you time and money on complex dental treatments such as root canals, extractions, or dental implants. Preserving the health of your teeth is better than replacing or restoring them.
• Improve your overall health – Your oral health is connected to your overall health. By investing in your oral health, you reduce your risk of serious medical conditions. Gum disease is directly linked to an increased risk of diabetes, heart attack, heart disease, stroke, and rheumatoid arthritis.

What We Do During a Dental Cleaning/Checkup

The Checkup

During a checkup, we’ll conduct an oral exam and take x-rays of your mouth to look for signs of tooth decay, gum disease, or oral cancer. X-rays are typically taken every 3 years unless the dentist doesn’t have any dental records for you on file, or the dentist has detected an issue that they want to get a closer look at.

X-rays can reveal more information about what’s going on beneath the gums or within the teeth. A dentist may take x-rays to look for signs of dental trauma, gum disease, damaged pulp, or to see how teeth are sitting in the jaw.

The Cleaning

During a dental cleaning, Dr. Parul Vashisht will use a scaler to scrape plaque and tartar from your gum line. Then, a high-powered toothbrush will be used to brush your teeth with gritty toothpaste. This thoroughly cleans and polishes your teeth.

Your teeth are then flossed to remove food particles and remnants of toothpaste. The cleaning is finished with a fluoride varnish that protects your teeth from tooth decay for the next 6 months. To schedule a dental cleaning or checkup with Dr. Parul Vashisht, contact us at Parklane Family Dentistry today.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a dental cleaning the same as a checkup?

While the terms “dental cleaning” and “checkup” are often used interchangeably, they are not exactly the same. A dental cleaning is a procedure that involves the thorough cleaning of your teeth and gums to remove plaque and tartar build-up. This process is typically performed by a dental hygienist and is essential in preventing tooth decay and gum disease.

On the other hand, a dental checkup is a comprehensive examination of your oral health performed by a dentist like Dr. Parul Vashisht at Parklane Family Dentistry. During a checkup, your dentist will examine your teeth, gums, and mouth for any signs of potential issues, such as cavities, gum disease, or oral cancer. They may also take x-rays to get a more detailed look at your teeth and jaw. A dental checkup often includes a dental cleaning, but it involves more than just cleaning your teeth.

How often should you get a dental cleaning?

The frequency of dental cleanings can depend on several factors, including your oral health status, your risk for developing gum disease, and your dentist’s recommendations. However, as a general guideline, it’s recommended that most people get a professional dental cleaning at least twice a year, or every six months. This frequency allows for the regular removal of plaque and tartar that can build up over time and lead to tooth decay and gum disease. 

However, if you have certain risk factors such as a history of gum disease, diabetes, or a weakened immune system, your dentist may recommend more frequent cleanings. It’s best to consult with Dr. Vashisht at Parklane Family Dentistry in Frisco, TX, to determine the optimal cleaning schedule for your specific needs.

How often should you get routine checkups at the dentist?

Similar to dental cleanings, it’s generally recommended that you get a routine checkup at the dentist every six months. These regular visits allow your dentist to monitor your oral health and detect any potential issues early when they’re typically easier and less costly to treat. 

During a routine checkup, your dentist will perform a thorough examination of your teeth, gums, and mouth, looking for signs of problems such as cavities, gum disease, or oral cancer. They may also take x-rays to get a more detailed look at your teeth and jaw. If any issues are detected, your dentist will discuss the appropriate treatment options with you.

What is the ideal dental routine?

An ideal dental routine involves a combination of at-home care and regular visits to your dentist. At home, you should brush your teeth at least twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and floss daily to remove plaque and food particles from between your teeth and along your gum line. 

In addition to this daily care, you should also visit your dentist for regular checkups and cleanings. As previously mentioned, most people should aim for a checkup and cleaning every six months, but your dentist may recommend a different schedule based on your specific needs.

In addition to these basic steps, a good dental routine can also include using a mouthwash to help kill bacteria in your mouth, eating a balanced diet that’s low in sugary foods and drinks, and avoiding tobacco products. 

Remember, maintaining a good dental routine is crucial for keeping your teeth and gums healthy and preventing oral health problems. If you have any questions about your dental routine or need to schedule a checkup or cleaning, don’t hesitate to contact Dr. Parul Vashisht at Parklane Family Dentistry in Frisco, TX.