Dental Exams & Cleanings | Genesis Dental

What’s Included in a Dental Exam & Cleaning

A routine visit at Genesis Dental in Surrey has two parts: a professional cleaning and a comprehensive exam.

Cleaning: your hygienist scales away plaque and tartar, polishes your teeth, flosses, and may apply fluoride.

Exam: your dentist checks your teeth, gums, bite, and any previous dental work, and looks for cavities, signs of gum disease, and other problems.

Most visits are recommended every 6 months, and your dentist may suggest more frequent visits depending on your needs.

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How Often Should You Visit the Dentist?

A healthy mouth is part of a healthy body, and a trip to the dentist should be part of your regular health care routine.

We recommend scheduling an exam and cleaning every 6 months to prevent or detect potential cavities, gum disease, or other oral health issues. Your dentist may suggest more frequent visits depending on your needs.

Our team supports healthy smiles and performs our services free of judgment. Your comfort and satisfaction are our priority.

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What to Expect from Your Cleaning & Exam

A dental exam and cleaning are performed by our experienced hygienists and dentists. Even if you can’t see or feel any signs of oral issues, our team of professionals is trained to detect potential problems early for easy and effective treatment.

The Dental Cleaning Process

Dental cleanings are an essential part of preventing issues such as gum disease and tooth decay. We want to help ease any stress you may feel about your appointment. At each visit, you can expect us to:

Use a scaler to remove plaque and tartar that has built up between your teeth and around your gum line
Polish your teeth with gritty toothpaste for a deep clean and to remove surface stains
Give you a professional flossing to remove leftover plaque and target any trouble areas
Rinse your mouth with water to wash out any debris left behind
Apply a fluoride treatment, if appropriate, to protect your teeth

Your Comprehensive Dental Exam

A dental exam is an important part of keeping your teeth and gums healthy. During your appointment, your dentist looks for:

Missing, damaged, or decaying teeth
Cavities
The condition of your gums
The spacing of your teeth and proper bite
Signs of growths, cysts, or mouth cancer
The state of previous dental work
Signs of clenching, grinding, or TMJ

Dental Exam & Cleaning FAQs

How often should I get a dental exam and cleaning?

We recommend an exam and cleaning every 6 months to catch cavities, gum disease, and other issues early. Your dentist may suggest more frequent visits depending on your oral health.

Do I really need a cleaning if I brush and floss every day?

Yes. Good home care is essential, but brushing and flossing can’t remove tartar once it has hardened onto your teeth. Our post on dental cleanings explains why.

Does scaling damage my enamel?

Scaling is designed to remove plaque and tartar, not tooth structure. You can read more in our post on whether tooth scaling removes enamel.

What does a dental exam include?

Your dentist checks your teeth, gums, bite, and previous dental work, and screens for signs of problems such as cavities, gum disease, and growths. See our full breakdown of what a full dental exam includes.

Will I need X-rays?

Your dentist will recommend X-rays based on your individual needs. Read more about how often you should get dental X-rays.

When can I eat after a cleaning?

See our guide on how long after a dental cleaning you can eat, and follow any instructions from your hygienist or dentist.