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Dental Hygiene/Exams
Your main touchpoint with a dentist should be your regular exam and cleaning visits. These are positive visits that are focused on preventive dentistry.
At Creekside Family Dental in Gahanna, OH, our hygienists are here to thoroughly clean your mouth, while our dentist will check on your oral health.
Dental Hygiene 101
The term dental hygiene refers to the ways you take care of your oral health, which includes your teeth, gums and mouth. Dental hygiene includes your care routine at home, such as brushing and flossing, and the cleanings you receive at the dentist’s office.
Frequency of Dental Hygiene Visits
The standard recommendation is to visit the dentist’s office twice a year for a professional cleaning and exam. This is good practice, as we can get your mouth cleaner than you can at home through the use of our professional tools and techniques. By coming in every six months, we can prevent problems from starting or catch them as early as possible.
If you have dental insurance, scheduling two exam and cleaning visits per year helps you fully utilize your benefits. In general, dental insurance plans provide coverage for two of these hygiene/exam visits each year, including the X-ray taken during one visit.
Why Professional Cleanings Matter
It’s true that at-home dental hygiene is an important part of good oral health, yet brushing and flossing alone usually does not remove all of the substances that build up on your teeth and gum line. Also, it’s hard to reach the areas around and between your molars.
At our office, our hygienists use tools to see and reach all the hidden areas throughout your mouth. They remove the substances like plaque and tartar that could lead to decay or disease if left unchecked. By removing these substances, we reduce your risk of developing gum disease, cavities and infection.
The exam you receive during your cleaning appointment is equally important. Our hygienists and dentist may see early signs of gum disease and prevent it from progressing. They could catch tooth decay when a simple filling could treat it. We also screen for oral cancer.
These appointments give an opportunity to see if you need treatment for a dental problem or if you have a goal you would like to reach, such as whiter or straighter teeth. Voicing questions, concerns and symptoms you’ve noticed helps you gain the best care from your dental team.
Caring for Oral Health from Home
Between dentist’s visits, it’s essential to practice a daily oral care routine. Professional cleanings are most beneficial in addition to your home routine.
In general, aim to brush with fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day and floss once a day. Other steps you can take include using mouthwash, reducing your consumption of sugar, avoiding tobacco products and eating healthily.
We may have specific suggestions for you during your regular visits as well. Also, we can offer a new toothbrush to help with your routine. Consider our preventive services like sealants that protect back teeth and fluoride treatments that help enhance tooth enamel.
Schedule Your Routine Cleaning and Exam
Contact our office to schedule your first visit with us. After that, we can create your next biannual appointment during your visit, making it easy for you to return every six months. Call to make your appointment.
Hygiene Exam FAQs
Regular dental hygiene exams are more than just a cleaning—they’re an essential part of keeping your mouth healthy and preventing more serious issues down the line. Below, we’ve answered some of the most common questions about what to expect and why these visits matter.
A dental hygiene exam combines a thorough cleaning with an evaluation of your teeth, gums, and overall oral health. Even if you brush and floss daily, plaque and tartar can build up in hard-to-reach areas. Our hygienists remove that buildup and look for early signs of oral health problems, so minor issues don’t become big ones.
Professional cleanings often remove surface stains from coffee, tea, and smoking, so many patients notice a brighter smile right after their visit. While hygiene exams aren’t the same as cosmetic whitening treatments, they can make your teeth feel and look cleaner.
Most people find dental hygiene exams comfortable. Our hygienists work gently as they remove plaque and tartar. If you have sensitive areas or discomfort, let us know—we’ll adjust our approach and help you feel at ease throughout the appointment.
In most cases, dental insurance covers two hygiene exams and cleanings each year. These visits are considered preventive care, and maximizing your benefits can help you stay on top of oral health without unexpected costs. However, every policy is different, and it’s essential to understand your policy before scheduling your appointment. Our team can help you determine how to get the most from your plan.
Yes! Brushing and flossing before your visit ensures your mouth is as clean as possible going in. It also helps your hygienist focus on removing the tougher buildup that’s difficult to manage at home.
There’s nothing specific you must avoid, but skipping heavy meals right before your appointment can make you more comfortable during the cleaning. Also, if you’re experiencing pain, swelling, or other symptoms, let us know in advance so we can prepare for your best experience.
For most patients, visiting every six months gives our team the chance to keep plaque and tartar under control and catch any early changes in oral health. If you have gum disease or other risk factors, we may recommend more frequent visits. Having that regular baseline helps Dr. Leffler and your hygienist tailor care to your needs.
Keeping up with dental hygiene exams helps you protect your smile for life. Dr. Leffler and the Creekside Family Dental team are here to make your visits easy and reassuring—reach out anytime to schedule or ask questions about your care.
