M
J
M
Family & Cosmetic Dentistry
Dental Checkups & Teeth Cleanings – Fairfax, VA
Preventive Power for Your Smile
The strongest tool in your arsenal against all kinds of oral issues is prevention. This is why at MJM Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, Dr. Murray strives to empower his patients through regular dental checkups and teeth cleanings in Fairfax. By seeing our team every six months, you can drastically reduce the presence of harmful dental problems and keep your mouth feeling fresh. This is because these services are designed to detect and treat things like tooth decay and gum disease before they start!
Why Choose MJM Family & Cosmetic Dentistry for Dental Checkups & Cleanings?
- Friendly And Experienced Dental Team
- Modern Dental Diagnostic Technology
- Sedation Services For Nervous Patients
Why Are Regular Dental Checkups & Cleanings Important?
Unless physical trauma is involved, most dental problems don’t start out big and obvious. In fact, many can’t be seen without a trained eye and special diagnostic equipment. Without regular dental checkups and cleanings, you may unwillingly be letting an easily solvable dental issue get worse. This is because even if you do everything right as far as your oral hygiene is concerned, there may still be spots you miss or can’t reach to clean them. Our team has special instruments they can use to remove stubborn and hidden plaque and tartar to help your smile sparkle again. This will prevent something like a small cavity from becoming an expensive and painful toothache in the future.
What to Expect During a Dental Checkup
Here’s what the typical checkup looks like at our Fairfax dental office:
- First, we’ll visually examine your teeth, gums, and existing dental work.
- Then, an oral cancer screening is performed on your mouth’s soft tissues.
- Next, we may take X-rays to detect problems hidden under the surface, especially if you haven’t had them done in over a year.
- Then, we’ll create a treatment plan if any issues are spotted.
- Finally, if you have any questions about your treatment or oral care, we’ll answer them.
This process allows our team to thoroughly check over your entire oral cavity, identify problems, and provide you with solutions!
What to Expect During a Dental Cleaning
Cleanings are the other half of your typical routine examination and help keep your mouth free of harmful oral bacteria and stubborn calcified tartar. One of our dental hygienists will use special instruments to gently remove hidden or hard-to-reach plaque between your teeth and along the gumline. They’ll also floss your teeth for you and polish your pearly whites to get rid of surface stains, leaving your smile shining once again. Altogether, professional teeth cleanings will significantly reduce your risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and bad breath. So, if you’re ready for a cleaner, healthier smile, contact us today to schedule an appointment!
Checkups & Cleanings FAQs
How long does a dental exam take?
Dr. Murray can usually complete a regular dental exam that includes an inspection of your mouth and an oral cancer screening in about ten to fifteen minutes, but the precise amount of time required can vary from patient to patient. He’ll be sure to look for signs of decay and infection as well as bite misalignments and confirm that your existing dental work (bridges, crowns, dentures, fillings, implants, etc.) is still in good shape. He’ll also take care to answer any questions you have about your treatment and your oral hygiene habits.
How long does a regular dental cleaning take?
A patient who practices excellent oral hygiene and visits our office in Fairfax every six months will probably require a regular dental cleaning that takes about thirty minutes. However, patients who have excessive accumulations of plaque and tartar or signs of gum disease may require more time than this. If you require treatments such as scaling and root planing, we may have to schedule you for one or more additional appointments.
How often do I need to get dental X-rays?
Most patients receive dental X-rays every six months, and they normally take only a few minutes. The different types of dental X-rays are:
- Bitewings: These are taken annually to check for signs of cavities.
- Periapical X-rays: These help us plan treatments and check for issues with the dental roots.
- Panoramic: These are usually taken every three to five years so we can keep an eye on how your teeth are developing and check for orthodontic issues or problems with your wisdom teeth.
You may need a dental X-ray during your next appointment depending on how long it has been since you last received one, which kind you last received, and other factors like age, oral health history, existing medical conditions, and medical concerns.
What factors can lengthen my regular dental appointment?
We may book a patient for an hour or an hour and a half depending on whether they are a new patient or not. A few factors that can contribute to how long your appointment takes include:
- How much plaque and tartar you have
- X-rays
- The need for treatments to address oral infections or other problems
- Consultations for additional treatments such as cosmetic work
A great way to minimize how much time your checkup will take is to enjoy a thorough brushing and flossing session before your appointment.
