Dental Checkups & Cleanings – Los Alamitos, CA

Excellent dental hygiene at home is not enough to keep your teeth healthy, and the early stages of infections like tooth decay and gum disease and other oral health problems can often be completely unnoticeable to the untrained eye. That’s why it’s so important to see Dr. Poe every six months for a routine dental checkup and cleaning. These visits allow your oral health to be monitored by a professional eye so that you can receive advice as to better oral hygiene at home and have any issues corrected in their early stages, saving you from much pain and expense later.

Why are Regular Dental Checkups & Cleanings Important?

While it might seem tempting to forgo your semiannual dental appointments, doing so can lead to serious oral health consequences that require expensive treatments to be resolved. During these appointments, Dr. Poe carefully examines and cleans his patients’ teeth, preventing new infections from developing and detecting existing ones in their early stages so they can be easily resolved.  While insurance almost always pays for two checkups and cleanings a year, fillings and other restorative procedures usually involve out-of-pocket expenses. Routine dental appointments can also prevent dental emergencies such as toothaches that require intensive and time-consuming treatments, thereby saving you from having to take time off work or school. Poor oral health is also associated with severe ailments like diabetes and heart disease, so regular dental appointments may help you stay in good overall health.

What to Expect During a Dental Checkup

During your checkup, Dr. Poe will carefully inspect your teeth, gums, alignment, and existing dental work and screen your soft tissues for signs of oral cancer. He may also take X-rays to check for problems beneath the surface, and he will create an appropriate treatment plan if he detects any problems. Dr. Poe will review and update your medical history and list of medications to keep track of any factors that can affect your treatment. He will also take time to answer any questions you have about your treatment or oral hygiene.

What to Expect During a Dental Cleaning

While brushing and flossing every day are essential to keeping your smile healthy, it’s not possible for you to clean every nook and cranny in your mouth at home, making professional dental cleanings necessary. During your visit, our hygienist will use special instruments to eliminate plaque and tartar that have accumulated between your teeth and beneath your gumline to reduce your risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and bad breath. Our hygienist will then polish your teeth to clear away minor stains and floss them to eliminate any debris.