Exams, Cleanings & X-Rays

A routine exam is a full check of your teeth, gums, and bite. We look for early signs of cavities, cracks, wear, and gum inflammation, then talk through what we’re seeing in plain language. If anything needs attention, you’ll leave with a clear plan for next steps.

Dental exams are designed to spot small issues before they turn into bigger problems. That includes early cavities, gum irritation, and signs of wear. Catching issues early usually means simpler treatment and fewer surprises.

We understand. We’re not here to judge. We’ll evaluate your teeth and gums, explain anything that needs attention, and outline the simplest path forward so you can make a confident decision about your care.

A professional cleaning removes plaque and tartar you can’t fully reach at home. This is especially important for areas around the gumline. We clean, polish, and check gum health, then share practical tips you can use between visits to keep things stable.

Brushing and flossing are essential, but they don’t remove hardened tartar, and some areas are simply hard to reach consistently. Cleanings help get your teeth back to looking their best while also supporting long-term gum health.

A regular cleaning focuses on removing plaque and tartar above the gumline. A deep cleaning is used when the gums need extra care. It cleans below the gumline to help stop infection and protect the support around your teeth. Your dentist will make a recommendation after performing an exam.

Common signs include bleeding when brushing or flossing, tender or swollen gums, persistent bad breath, or gums that look like they’re pulling back. Gum disease can also be quiet early on, which is why routine visits matter.

It can get worse over time. Gums can pull back and bone can weaken. Teeth may start to feel loose. Treatment helps stop the damage and protect your smile.

First, we’ll explain what we’re seeing and how advanced it is. Then we’ll outline the next step, which might be a deeper cleaning, a gum-health visit, or a home-care plan to help get things back on track. The goal is to stop progression and protect the support around your teeth.

• Abscesses or cysts
• Bone loss
• Cancerous and non-cancerous tumors
• Decay between the teeth
• Developmental abnormalities
• Poor tooth and root positions
• Problems inside a tooth or below the gum line

Detecting and treating dental problems at an early stage can save you time, money, unnecessary discomfort, and your teeth!

We are all exposed to natural radiation in our environment. The amount of radiation exposure from a full mouth series of X-rays is equal to the amount a person receives in a single day from natural sources.

Dental X-rays produce a low level of radiation and are considered safe. Dentists take necessary precautions to limit the patient’s exposure to radiation when taking dental X-rays. These precautions include using lead apron shields to protect the body and using modern, fast film that cuts down the exposure time of each X-ray.

The need for dental X-rays depends on each guest’s individual dental health needs. Your dentist and dental hygienist will recommend necessary X-rays based on a review of your medical and dental history, dental exam, signs and symptoms, age consideration, and risk for disease.

A full mouth series of dental X-rays is recommended for new guests. A full series is usually good for three to five years. Bite-wing X-rays (X-rays of top and bottom teeth biting together) are taken at recall (check-up) visits and are recommended once or twice a year to detect new dental problems.