A dental exam, often combined with a professional cleaning, is a routine but incredibly important visit to our dental office. It’s designed to proactively monitor your oral health, identify any developing issues, and provide necessary preventative treatments. Think of it as your smile’s wellness check!
A typical dental exam and checkup at Smiles By Eddie in Woodland Hills includes:
At Smiles By Eddie, I truly believe that the cornerstone of a beautiful, healthy smile and excellent oral health is consistent preventative care. Regular dental exams and checkups are far more than just a quick look at your teeth; they are comprehensive assessments that allow us to catch potential issues early, maintain your oral hygiene, and ensure your smile remains vibrant for years to come. My team and I are dedicated to providing thorough, gentle, and personalized checkups right here in Woodland Hills, helping patients of all ages prevent problems before they start and enjoy optimal oral well-being.
Regular checkups are not just about addressing problems; they’re about preventing them. By visiting us consistently at our Woodland Hills dental office, you’re investing in your long-term oral and overall health.
Benefits of routine dental exams and checkups include:
Choosing the right dental home for your routine care is essential for maintaining lifelong oral health. Here’s why patients in Woodland Hills, CA, and the surrounding San Fernando Valley, trust Smiles By Eddie for their dental exams and checkups:
Receiving a bone graft is a surgical procedure performed with meticulous care in our Woodland Hills dental office. While the specific steps can vary depending on the type and location of the graft, here’s a general overview of what you can expect:
For most healthy adults and children, it’s recommended to have a dental exam and professional cleaning every six months. For individuals with a history of gum disease, frequent cavities, or other specific conditions, I may recommend more frequent visits (e.g., every 3-4 months).
Dental X-rays are painless. We use modern digital X-rays, which expose you to very minimal radiation, significantly less than traditional film X-rays. We only take X-rays when necessary to accurately diagnose and monitor your oral health.
Plaque is a soft, sticky film of bacteria that constantly forms on your teeth. If not removed daily by brushing and flossing, plaque can harden into tartar (calculus), which can only be removed by a professional dental cleaning.
A routine dental cleaning is generally comfortable. You might feel some pressure or scraping, but it shouldn’t be painful. If you have sensitive teeth or gum inflammation, we can use a topical numbing gel to enhance your comfort.
Oral cancer, if detected early, has a very high cure rate. My screening is a quick, non-invasive check of your mouth, throat, and neck for any suspicious lesions or changes, even if you don’t notice them yourself.
No. While excellent home care (brushing twice daily, flossing daily) is crucial, it cannot remove hardened tartar. Only a professional dental cleaning can remove tartar and access areas that your toothbrush and floss can’t reach.
Your teeth will feel incredibly smooth and clean! You might experience minor gum sensitivity for a short time, especially if there was significant tartar buildup, but this usually subsides quickly.
If a cavity is detected, I will explain its size and location, discuss treatment options (usually a dental filling), and schedule a separate appointment to address it promptly before it worsens.
Most dental insurance plans fully cover or heavily subsidize preventive care like routine dental exams and cleanings (typically two per year), as they recognize the importance of these visits in preventing more costly problems.
A routine dental exam and cleaning usually takes about 45 minutes to an hour, depending on the amount of tartar buildup and individual needs.