Professional Dental Cleanings (Biannual Prophylaxis) in Bay City, MI

Even if you are brushing and flossing your teeth perfectly at home, it is still important to have a professional cleaning at Bay City Dental Center twice each year. Using state-of-the-art equipment, a professional cleaning eliminates plaque and tartar while polishing your teeth for a brighter, healthier smile. During your appointment, you can ask for tips on caring for your teeth at home and discover certain areas that need extra care. A professional cleaning will give experienced dentist Dr. Matthew R. Ward the opportunity to look for any problem areas in the mouth that might require care. Having a dental cleaning is a vital step in keeping up your oral health so schedule appointments for your family at our Bay City, MI office.

Dental cleanings in Bay City, MI at Bay City Dental Center are your frontline defense to protect your smile against tooth decay, offering a number of great benefits, like:

• Removing plaque and tartar that regular brushing and flossing can't
• Cleaning and polishing your teeth
• Brightening up your smile
• Freshening your breath
• Checking your teeth and gums
• Allowing earlier treatment for oral health problems
• Dental cleanings are quick and easy

The ADA (American Dental Association) recommends patients schedule professional dental cleanings two times per year. Children should have their first visit to the dentist before their first birthday and after that, Dr. Ward will help you determine when your child is old enough for their next dental appointment. A cleaning may prevent cavities because built-up plaque, the biggest reason for tooth decay, is removed. A dental cleaning will also remove tartar and stains on your enamel. If you’d like to freshen your breath, brighten your smile, improve your overall health, and save money in the long run, schedule a dental cleaning for your whole family at Bay City Dental Center.

Your dental cleaning will begin by addressing the plaque and tartar deposits on your enamel, which is challenging to remove on your own, no matter how often you brush and floss. Advanced instruments are used to carefully scale buildup without affecting the enamel. First, a device with ultrasonic technology loosens bigger chunks of tartar and plaque with a lubricating mist and high-speed vibrations. Then, a fine handheld instrument, such as a scaler or curette, will be used to remove the remaining pieces. Each tooth needs to be treated individually to get all the plaque and tartar. Once your teeth have been cleaned, your enamel will be polished to remove stains and strengthen the teeth. If needed or requested, a fluoride treatment can be done following the cleaning.

Dr. Matthew Ward may suggest cleanings more often if you have other oral health concerns such as gum disease. Throughout your appointment, Dr. Matthew Ward or a member of the Bay City Dental Center team can help you design a good home oral care routine by demonstrating techniques or recommending products that can address your concerns. These can be advantageous for your teeth, overall health, and wallet, so make sure you schedule and go to your dental cleanings at Bay City Dental Center.

How often should I schedule dental cleanings?

Generally, we recommend patients receive dental cleanings about once every six months. However, in some cases, patients may need to return more frequently, such as every three months. If this is the case, we'll let you know when to schedule your follow-up.

Are dental cleanings painful?

Most patients do not describe a dental cleaning as particularly hurtful. Having said that, some underlying issues can lead to increased sensitivity in the teeth and gums. These can include gum inflammation, tooth decay, and other forms of oral disease.

How long does it take to perform a dental cleaning?

In total, patients can normally expect a dental cleaning to last for around 30 minutes to an hour. If any x-rays must be performed, it will add to this estimated time. Once these x-rays have been completed, we will go over the results with the patient before scheduling a follow-up.

How much do dental cleanings cost?

The overall cost of dental cleanings can differ from patient to patient due to a variety of factors. Our staff will listen to your goals and concerns during your initial consultation in order to create a treatment plan that is catered to your unique needs. Once this plan has been agreed upon, we can offer a more accurate estimate of the total price.

Are dental cleanings covered by insurance?

A professional dental cleaning is a preventive treatment, so it's typically covered by dental insurance. A member of our office will talk to your insurance company to determine your specific coverage and then calculate any out-of-pocket amount. If you do not have dental insurance, please talk to Dr. Ward about different payments we take, including medical financing.

What is the difference between a dental cleaning and a dental exam?

During a dental exam, our team will take a careful assessment of the health of your teeth and gums in order to diagnose potential problems, including cavities, gum disease, oral cancer, and more.

Keep your smile healthy with professional cleanings two times per year at Bay City Dental Center in Bay City, MI. Dr. Ward and his team work with both adults and children to boost their oral health with professional dental cleanings to remove built-up plaque and tartar. As an important procedure in any proactive oral health plan, a professional dental cleaning may keep you and your family from a lot of trouble and invasive treatments later. Contact our office to make appointments for your whole family.