Teeth Cleaning & Dental Checkups in Katy & Fulshear

Brushing and flossing your teeth at home are crucial to a healthy mouth, but they are not enough on their own. Professional teeth cleaning and dental checkups at least twice a year are essential to your oral health. Our hygienists and dentists identify plaque and problem areas before thoroughly cleaning your teeth, including areas your toothbrush misses. They also provide you with information to help you maintain a happy, healthy smile.

Regular Dental Cleanings and Checkups are Vital for Your Oral Health

Routine checkups are an essential part of proper oral hygiene. Some of the benefits of regular teeth cleanings include:

• Healthier bones and gums.
• Less risk of developing gum disease.
• Longer-lasting teeth.
• Early detection and treatment of cancer and other oral health conditions.
• Elimination of bad breath.
• Beautiful, healthy smiles.

What Happens When We Miss Professional Teeth Cleaning?

Failure to keep up on proper oral hygiene can lead to:

• An impaired ability to eat and digest foods, leading to nutritional and systemic problems.
• Bad breath, resulting from advancing periodontal disease and/or rotting food particles.
• Negative effects on cardiovascular well-being and overall health.
• Gum infection and gangrene.
• Severe cavities leading to tooth loss.

Why Choose Us for Dental Cleaning & Checkups?

• Your family can schedule dental cleanings and checkups in one place. We offer comprehensive care for all ages, requiring few or no referrals.
• Dr. Mohandes is gentle and thorough with all cleaning and examinations. Patients leave each appointment with cleaner, healthier teeth without pain or sensitivity.
• Patient education is part of every checkup. Together, we will work to keep your smile healthy and beautiful.

What to Expect at Your First Checkup

Dental cleaning appointments last about an hour, while new patient visits are a bit longer. We focus on building relationships with each patient and on adapting treatments to their specific health needs and goals. Here’s what to expect at your first visit:

• A medical history is needed. A hygienist will gather your dental and medical histories. This provides us with a clear picture of your current health, including any medical conditions that may affect dental treatment.
• We take digital X-rays as part of your comprehensive oral exam. If you had X-rays taken within the last 12 months, please have them sent to our office. If you cannot have X-rays taken, tell the hygienist when you give your medical history.
• We perform an oral cancer and lesion screening to check for symptoms of cancer and other illnesses, such as heart disease and diabetes. Afterward, we examine your teeth for decay.
• Our hygienist will check your gums and measure periodontal pockets with a probe. They then clean your teeth, identifying and removing tartar, plaque, and calculus.
• Oral hygiene habits are reviewed: We end your visit by reviewing and reinforcing proper oral hygiene.

Proper Oral Hygiene: How to Prevent Tooth Decay.

1. Brush twice and floss once daily.
2. Have dental cleanings and checkups twice a year.
3. Eat fewer sugary and acidic foods.
4. Take fluoride tablets. These make teeth more resistant to decay.
5. Ask your dentist about additional cleaning supplements.

The Teeth Cleaning Procedure

At your cleaning, your dental hygienist finds and removes plaque, which is a soft film cleaned by brushing. Tartar, the hardened residue, requires dental instruments. We clean every surface of your teeth, paying special attention to the narrow spaces between teeth and along the gum lines where bacteria build up.

We often finish by using prophy paste. Its coarse texture removes any remaining plaque as it dissolves into a finer texture, making your teeth shiny and smooth. We also inform you about areas with plaque and tartar buildup so you can focus on them with daily flossing and brushing. Our goal is to help you care for your teeth easily and effectively.

Are there different kinds of teeth cleanings?

No. Prophylaxis refers to a professional dental cleaning. Other dental procedures, such as fillings or extractions, serve different purposes. Prophylaxis is usually performed every six months as a preventive measure.

Other procedures often called “cleanings” are actually different. Instead, they are periodontal treatments for those with gum disease or significant buildup. These treatments focus on more advanced dental concerns than prophylaxis.

• Full Mouth Debridement: A pre-cleaning for those with severe calculus buildup.
• Scaling and Root Planing: A deep cleaning for those with early stages of gum disease.
• Perio Maintenance: A periodontal cleaning for those with a history of gum disease.

The Cost of Teeth Cleaning

Most dental insurance policies include benefits that cover teeth cleanings. Not maintaining good oral hygiene can lead to higher costs later, as skipping cleanings often results in serious, expensive health problems. Since every patient’s financial situation is different, we are happy to discuss yours. At a consultation, we present any possible costs up front to help you navigate your insurance benefits. Our main objective is to help you achieve excellent oral health.

FAQs

When should my child have their first dental checkup?

Schedule your child’s first checkup around age 1, or when their first tooth erupts. Dr. Mohandes can check their gums and make sure there are no problems. This first visit is brief and does not include a dental cleaning. It is mainly to help your child get used to visiting the dentist.

Is teeth cleaning painful?

It shouldn’t be painful. For most people, the process is painless, though you may feel slight pressure as the hygienist or dentist scrapes away plaque. If you have severe tartar buildup, you might experience mild discomfort or sensitivity. The good news is that after the initial cleaning, future cleanings will be easier as long as you are diligent about your home oral hygiene routine.

I have sensitive teeth. Will this be a problem?

No. Use a toothpaste for sensitive teeth in the weeks before your cleaning. Also, inform us at your appointment. We can then apply a numbing gel to your teeth and gums before cleaning.

How long does teeth cleaning take?

It usually takes between 30 and 60 minutes, depending on how much plaque and tartar have to be removed.

Ready to Improve Your Smile?

Full-service dental care for every member of your family. Contact us today at FM Dentistry & Orthodontics Phone Number 281-454-3152 to schedule your next dental checkup and teeth cleaning.