Maintain a Beautiful Smile
Brushing your teeth and flossing every day is a great way to keep your smile healthy, but it’s also essential that you schedule check-ups with one of our dentists at least twice a year.
These appointments give Dr. Curtin an opportunity to thoroughly evaluate the state of your oral health. They also help us identify any potential issues and provide treatment before they develop into something more severe.
Explore our guide to learn exactly what takes place during a dental hygiene appointment.
Digital X-Rays
We’ll begin your appointment by taking x-rays of your entire mouth. In the interest of your health and safety, we use digital x-rays at our practice. These devices reduce your exposure to radiation by 80%.
In addition to being safer, digital x-rays allow us to examine your smile in greater detail. This helps Dr. Curtin to pinpoint cavities, abscesses, and other issues that could threaten your health.
Teeth Cleaning
One of our hygienists will use our specialized dental tools to remove plaque from your teeth and gums, protecting your smile from cavities. Even if you practice excellent oral hygiene at home, these cleanings are still necessary to prevent decay from spreading through your mouth.
We’ll also clean and polish each of your teeth so you leave our office with a healthy, sparkling smile.
Full Examination
After our hygienist has thoroughly cleaned your teeth, Dr. Curtin will go over the results of your x-ray and thoroughly examine your teeth and gums. If you’re experiencing any pain or discomfort, he will address your concerns and find an ideal solution.
During this examination, they’ll also provide an oral cancer screening. This is an essential part of your check-up, as oral cancer can be fatal if it’s allowed to progress without treatment. By checking at least twice a year, we can stay ahead of the disease and ensure it never advances to a severe stage.
Periodontal Treatment
Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is an extremely common dental problem that affects many people today. It occurs when yours gums aren’t properly cared for and plaque below your gumline begins to harden and develop into tartar.
During your regular dental check-ups we’ll always perform a quick and easy deep cleaning of your tooth roots and gums to ensure your smile is healthy.
If we recognize gum disease in its earliest stage, ginigivitis, we can simply reverse the dental problem by scaling and root planing your teeth. This gently removes the tartar from below your gumline, which is generally more difficult to remove with floss.
Once all the tartar is removed, our team of hygienists will smooth out your tooth’s surface to ensure it looks and feels healthy and beautiful.
Dental Hygiene FAQs
How often should I get a dental cleaning?
You should receive a dental cleaning a minimum of twice per year, but there are people with a higher risk for bacterial infection that may need to come every three or four months according to the recommendation of Dr. Curtin.
How long does a dental hygiene appointment take?
Here at our Winnetka dental office, we want to ensure each hygiene appointment is done efficiently and conveniently for our patients. Generally, each hygiene appointment will last 30-45 minutes, but the time may vary based on the health of your smile.
Do you take insurance?
Yes, we work with a wide variety of dental insurance providers. You can give our office a call to see if we accept your provider and our team will work with you to ensure you receive maximum benefits.
Do you offer payment plans?
Here at our dental office, we offer a variety of affordable financing options. If you have questions about paying for your dental care, don’t hesitate to give us a call (847) 446-0970.
Schedule Your Appointment Today
If you want to maintain a healthy smile, don’t forget to schedule your biannual hygiene appointments with our team. You can simply call us at (847) 446-0970 or fill out our contact form below and we’ll get right back to you with available dates for you to schedule.
Rest assured, we’ll help your smile remain healthy and beautiful for many years to come.
