Regular Dental Checkup

Regular dental checkups are fundamental in preserving a healthy and attractive smile. They play a crucial role in ensuring optimal oral health, and we advise all our patients to prioritize them. To maintain ideal oral health, dental checkups should be conducted every six months.

Regular Dental Checkups

As leading dental hygienists in Oklahoma, OK, we believe in the power of teeth cleanings, flossing, and sealants to prevent dental disease. Our focus is on thorough dental care exams to check your teeth, gums, and overall health. At Warwick Dental, we are equally concerned about your smile as we are about your well-being. You can expect a typical new patient hygiene and cleaning appointment to go as follows:

  • Your dental hygienist will take you back to the exam room and will take any dental x-rays or photos that are required.
  • Then your dental hygienist will perform a teeth cleaning, polish, floss, and fluoride. Your hygienist will also record overal oral conditions relating to oral and periodontal (gum) health.
  • The doctor will meet with you and discuss any areas of concern you may have or we may want to address.
  • Schedule any needed treatment or simply your next 6-month cleaning appointment.

Expect this first appointment to take between 1 hour and 1.5 hours, so that we don’t rush you through or provide too much information too quickly for you.

smiling woman with dental tools near her teeth
  • Why is regular teeth cleaning important?

    Numerous oral health problems can only be identified through a comprehensive evaluation by a qualified dentist. Dental checkups facilitate oral cancer screenings, digital X-rays to detect concealed issues, and professional cleanings to eliminate plaque, bacteria, and other buildup that regular brushing and flossing may not efficiently remove.

    Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss, so early intervention is essential. Once gum disease has taken its toll on the tooth and supporting bone, it cannot be restored, but only managed or replaced. The dental hygienist will use a small ruler to gently measure the gum “pocket” around each of your teeth, making note of areas that you can’t clean with a toothbrush or floss. X-rays are used in conjunction with these measurements, to identify areas of bone recession.

  • How often should you get dental checkups?

    Ideally, dental checkups should be scheduled every six months. During your initial visit to Warwick Dental, you will be asked to provide a comprehensive health history to allow our dental team to understand your past and current health. From there, regular dental checkups will allow for the monitoring of any changes in your oral health, ensuring that your teeth and mouth remain in excellent condition or are adequately maintained.

    The American Dental Association, and most dentists, recommend six months because the maintenance and cleaning provided at each visit is the best way to ensure you maintain healthy teeth and gums.

    As long as your mouth is free of gum disease and heavy buildup, six months is about the average length of time for tartar and stain to accumulate to the point of needing another teeth cleaning. For individuals with a history of periodontitis, those maintenance visits may need to be as frequently as every 3-4 months.

  • Why are brushing and flossing important?

    We all know brushing and flossing make our mouth feel great. But, brushing and flossing do more than freshen breath – they physically disrupt the complex network of bacteria called a biofilm. It’s important to disrupt and remove the sticky film so diseases like cavities and gum disease are less likely to happen. There are a lot of products on the market that claim they are the best. Make sure to talk about the options with your hygienist to get the best recommendation.

    It is crucial to brush your teeth at least twice a day for a minimum of two minutes and floss once daily. Encouraging your child to adopt brushing and flossing habits will enable them to maintain healthy teeth during childhood and throughout their life.

  • What are other preventative dental care strategies?

    Besides having your teeth cleaned and stain polished off, our comfortable dental cleaning also provides other preventative services, such as:

    Dental Sealants — Deep grooves and pits in your back teeth are at a higher risk of cavities. Placing a protective sealant over these surfaces makes them easier to clean and lowers your chances of developing tooth decay.

    Fluoride Treatment — Fluoride strengthens tooth enamel, fights sensitivity, and reverses the earliest stage of tooth decay (demineralization). Dental insurance typically covers fluoride treatments for children, but our adult patients can take advantage of the service for only $29.

    Oral Cancer Screenings — This deadly disease is linked to viruses like HPV, sun exposure, and tobacco/alcohol use. Early screening could save your life. We complete a cancer exam as part of every checkup appointment.

    Diagnostic X-rays — Intermittent X-rays allow us to identify new areas of decay or bone loss around your teeth, so that we can treat them in the least invasive manner before they become worse.

Is It Time For Your Next Checkup?

If you have more questions about dental checkups and other preventative dental care, please contact our office and we will be happy to discuss further.

front door close up of Warwick Dental

Warwick Dental

Schedule Appointment

6928 NW 112TH ST
Oklahoma City, OK 73162
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Hours

Monday - Wednesday: 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Thursday: 7 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Friday - Sunday: Closed

Phone

405-722-7071

Email Address

[email protected]