Dental Checkup Whittier, CA
If a patient is having a dental checkup for the first time, or if they have not been to the dentist in a while, they often find themselves wondering what a dental checkup is. During this routine appointment, a dental professional will check the smile, teeth, and gums for infection, decay, and disease, such as cavities or periodontitis (gum disease).
At some point during the checkup, they will also be given guidance on home care. This allows them to keep their smile in the best shape possible between checkups. Scheduling your checkup is as easy as calling our Bailey Family Dental - Brian Choi, DMD - Whittier, CA team in Whittier at (562) 698-8739.
Dental Cleaning
During the dental cleaning, the dental professional will remove the plaque — a buildup of bacteria that deposits onto the teeth. To do this, the dental professional will scrape the teeth above and below the gum line with special tools. The teeth may be rinsed periodically during this process. Then, the dental professional will floss between the teeth. If you do not floss regularly, you may find this to be a little uncomfortable; but if they include flossing as part of their daily oral care practice, this discomfort will go away over time.
At the end of the dental cleaning, the dental professional will polish the teeth. This polishing helps protect the teeth against the buildup of plaque so they stay shiny and smoother longer. The polish is applied with a spinning brush and a paste. This paste resembles toothpaste but is slightly coarse so it can better eliminate any residue that might have been missed. When the dental professional is done cleaning the teeth, you may be asked to rinse and gargle with mouthwash.
“During the dental cleaning, the dental professional will remove the plaque — a buildup of bacteria that deposits onto the teeth.”
Dental Examination
The dentist will speak to you about your dental history. They may ask you about medications and illnesses, or whether they have any allergies, concerns, or anxieties. Always be honest with our dental team so they can provide the best care possible.
A dental checkup is more than a quick cleaning.
It is a routine evaluation performed by a general dentist to assess current oral health and look for early signs of problems that may not yet be causing symptoms. In many cases, staying consistent with checkups helps you avoid more advanced treatments such as deep cleanings and other procedures that may become necessary when problems are allowed to progress. This is one of the main reasons regular checkups are such an important part of preventive care.
The dental professional will check the teeth for any signs of concern by using a small mirror to look around the mouth. During this examination, they will be looking for swelling, sores, cuts or lesions, gum recession, and tooth decay. One of the most important things they will look for is spaces between the gums and teeth called dental pockets. Dental pockets pose a risk to health and may indicate gum disease. The dental professional may recommend home care and monitoring to protect the smile.
“Always be honest with our dental team so they can provide the best care possible.”
Dental X-rays
New patients and those who have not had them done in a while will be asked to have dental X-rays taken of their mouth at their dental checkup. These X-rays are important because they allow dentists to check the roots beneath the gum line, which are otherwise inaccessible. For the X-rays, you will bite down on a piece of plastic that is placed between their teeth. A machine will be placed near their cheek to take the image. Their dentist will then review the image to check for any dental concerns.
“These X-rays are important for your dental team to be able to check the roots beneath your gum line, which could otherwise not be seen during a routine checkup.”
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The Importance of Regular Dental Care
Our dental team recommends that all patients return to the office for dental checkups at least once every six months. In our experience, patients who stay consistent with these visits tend to have fewer emergencies, less need for extensive treatment, and better long-term oral health overall. By scheduling regular appointments and cleanings, our dental team can monitor the smile for early signs of concern and address them before they become bigger problems.
Seeing a general dentist regularly helps you stay ahead of small issues before they turn into larger or more costly problems. In many cases, concerns like early decay, gum inflammation, or bite-related changes can be identified during a routine checkup and addressed earlier than they otherwise would be.
Keeping oral health on track starts at home. To prevent oral health issues between dental checkups, our dental team may make several recommendations for at-home oral care. These oral hygiene techniques may include:
- Brushing the teeth at least twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste
- Flossing daily
- Using a mouthwash
- Avoid smoking or other activities detrimental to oral health
What We Look For During Checkups at Our Office
In our Whittier office, dental checkups are not rushed. We take time to evaluate small changes that many patients do not notice, such as early enamel wear, bite imbalances, or subtle gum inflammation. These are often early warning signs that can prevent more serious dental problems if addressed early.
It is common for patients to feel like everything is fine, but we may detect early-stage decay between teeth or minor bone loss that would not be visible without a proper exam and X-rays. Catching these issues early often means simpler, more conservative treatment.
Our goal is not just to clean teeth, but to help you avoid future dental problems and reduce the need for more invasive procedures over time.
“To prevent oral health issues between dental checkups, our dental team may make several recommendations for at-home oral care.”
Questions Answered on This Page
Q. What is involved in the dental cleaning portion of a checkup?
Q. What does the dentist look for in a dental examination?
Q. How often should someone have a dental checkup?
People Also Ask
Q. What are dental sealants? Are they growing in popularity?
Q. How do lifestyle choices affect dental health?
Q. Why is good oral hygiene important?
Q. What should be included in an at home oral health routine?
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What happens during a dental cleaning?
A. During a dental cleaning, a dental professional will use specialized dental tools to clean the teeth. These tools include a scraping tool that looks like a small metal hook to remove buildup from the surface of the teeth and an electric toothbrush with coarse toothpaste to clean and shine the teeth. Together with a dental mouthwash, a dental cleaning will remove buildup from the teeth and protect them from bacteria.
Q. What is a dental exam?
A. A dental exam is very similar to a dental checkup. Just like a checkup, a dental professional checks the teeth for any sign of concern and cleans the teeth. The difference is that with a dental exam, the dental professional will also check other areas that may be affected by oral health, like the head and neck. This exam is usually only recommended for new patients.
Q. What is a dental X-ray?
A. A dental X-ray is like other X-rays, but this one looks specifically at the mouth. More specifically, this X-ray looks at the roots and areas beneath the gum line where the dental professional otherwise would not be able to see. Dental X-rays are important for checking for signs of disease or other oral health concerns around the roots of the teeth.
Q. What happens if someone waits too long for a dental checkup?
A. Bacteria naturally attach to the surface of the teeth as they are used to eat. While at-home oral care can help to remove much of this bacteria, it is next to impossible to remove all of it without professional dental tools. Waiting too long between dental checkups gives these bacteria time to settle onto the teeth and turn into plaque and tartar. If this buildup is not removed, it could lead to tooth decay or disease over time and create further oral health concerns.
Q. What at-home care should be done between dental checkups?
A. Recommended at-home dental care includes brushing twice a day and flossing at least once a day. Also, dental care professionals suggest patients use a mouthwash that includes fluoride. You may be advised to avoid smoking, eating sugary foods, and other activities that are known to be harmful to oral health.
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Dental Terminology
Call Us Today
Following through with dental checkups is how you can ensure that your smile stays healthy and free of decay or disease. Our dental team is here to help. To schedule a dental checkup or for help with your dental questions, please call our team at 562-698-8739.
Helpful Related Links
- American Dental Association (ADA). Glossary of Dental Clinical Terms. 2024
- American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry® (AACD). Home Page. 2024
- WebMD. WebMD’s Oral Care Guide. 2024
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- Bailey Family Dental – Brian Choi, DMD – Whittier, CA was established in 2020.
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