Dental Cleaning & Dental Check Up, St. Louis, MO

The American Dental Association recommends you see your dentist at least twice each year for a checkup. At your checkup, we will inspect your soft tissues for oral cancer, periodontal disease, and other problems. Dr. Hill will also look at each tooth in your mouth to assess problems like tooth decay or cracks, as well as inspect old dental work. Sometimes old dental work wears out and needs to be replaced. We will be happy to replace metal dental fillings, inlays, onlays, and dental crowns with tooth-colored alternatives.

By looking for trouble every six months, we can often reduce your potential for large dental problems. For instance, left untreated, a small cavity can grow to destroy an entire tooth and spread to surrounding teeth. A cracked tooth can cause pain or break off and create additional problems. Furthermore, advanced gum disease is the primary cause of tooth loss for American adults, and oral cancer causes more than 7500 deaths each year. Caught and treated early, these diseases can be controlled.

Dental Cleaning

A professional dental cleaning every six months is also a preventive means to avoid oral health issues. The purpose of the cleaning is to remove the tartar build-up that cannot be removed from brushing and flossing alone and to put proactive measures in place so that you maintain the highest level of oral health. The following is a list of the dental cleaning services you can expect:

Professional Treatment- A dental hygienist and Dr. Hill will evaluate your oral health and look closely for signs of problems within your mouth. The hygienist will polish and clean your teeth, discuss proper tooth care, and make recommendations for your dental care at home. Next, Dr. Hill will conduct an oral exam, checking for oral cancer and other diseases and make treatment recommendations.

Cleaning- A professional cleaning removes plaque by the use of hand instruments. Plaque can build up above and below the gum line and can cause periodontal disease. The removal is important to your overall health.

Polishing- After cleaning your teeth, we will polish them to remove the plaque and stains on the tooth surface. This will leave your teeth feeling smooth and fresh.

Prevention- If your check up reveals dental concerns we will address them accordingly. This may include at-home measures or suggestions for other treatments.

X-rays- We take digital x-rays to look for potential problems that are not visible to the naked eye. Digital x-rays allow us to immediately diagnose areas of concern and show our patients exactly what we see. They also dramatically reduce radiation exposure.

If you have not scheduled a checkup or cleaning lately, be sure to call our St. Louis dental office now to make your appointment! Children as young as two should visit the dentist, and by age four or five, a child should attend regular checkups.