Welcome to Sage Hills Dental in Cody, WY
Routine Exams and Cleanings at Sage Hills Dental
Healthy smiles begin with preventive dental care. Here at Sage Hills Dental, we encourage our patients to make routine dental checkups and professional teeth cleanings a top priority as part of our general dentistry and preventive dental services in Cody, WY. At every appointment, Dr. Gardner and our skilled team screen for early warning signs of dental issues and offer the dental hygiene care and support you need to maintain a bright, confident smile through personalized Cody preventive dentistry services.
The Benefits of Routine Dental Exams and Professional Cleanings
Regular dental visits and professional cleanings do more than leave your breath fresh; they play a crucial role in maintaining your oral health and overall well-being. By keeping up with your twice-yearly routine dental exams and cleanings, you gain access to a variety of benefits from our preventive dental services in Cody, WY, including:
- Prevention of Cavities and Tooth Decay: Dental cleanings get rid of plaque and tartar buildup on your teeth that brushing and flossing cannot reach, significantly lowering your risk for tooth decay and cavities through consistent Cody preventive dentistry.
- Early Detection of Gum Disease: During dental exams, we can easily spot early signs of gingivitis and periodontal disease and take prompt action before they worsen through targeted preventive dentistry in Cody, Wyoming.
- Screenings for Oral Cancer and General Health: Your comprehensive routine dental exam includes a screening for oral cancer and sometimes reveals signs of systemic conditions like diabetes and heart disease, which is why regular preventive dental care visits matter.
- Whiter, Brighter Smile: We use special tools and techniques to remove surface stains during teeth cleanings, so you enjoy the feeling of smooth, polished teeth after your preventive dental services in Cody, WY.
- Lower Overall Dental Costs: Preventive dental care is affordable care, and by detecting problems early with Cody preventive dental services, you can often avoid more extensive and expensive dental treatments down the road.
The Routine Dental Exam and Cleaning Process
We prioritize your comfort at every step. When you visit Sage Hills Dental for a dental exam and cleaning, this is the typical process in our general dentistry and preventive dental care appointments:
Comprehensive Dental Exam
We begin each checkup by thoroughly examining your mouth for signs of cavities, gum disease, enamel erosion, bite problems, and other concerns. Dr. Gardner will visually check your teeth, gums, jaw, and soft tissues, and always includes an oral cancer screening in your routine exam as part of preventive dentistry in Cody, Wyoming.
Dental X-rays
Occasionally, routine dental X-rays are part of your preventive checkup as well. We use digital X-rays to identify hidden tooth decay, bone loss, impacted teeth, and other oral health issues not visible to the naked eye, which supports our focus on preventive dental care in Cody, Wyoming.
Professional Teeth Cleaning
Your cleaning begins with our hygienist carefully and gently removing plaque and hardened tartar (calculus) from your teeth using special instruments. This process focuses on areas along and just below the gumline. Professional dental cleanings, known as prophylaxis in general dentistry, are the only way to eliminate tartar buildup effectively.
Polishing and Preventive Oral Hygiene Care
Next, we polish teeth using a professional paste that removes minor surface stains and gets your enamel smooth. We finish your dental cleaning by thoroughly flossing in between each of your teeth as part of our preventive dental services in Cody, WY.
Ensure the longevity of your smile with our thorough dental exams. Our Cody team is dedicated to detecting and preventing issues early.
Tips to Maintain Oral Health Between Dental Visits
Great at-home oral hygiene complements regular checkups and teeth cleanings. To ensure a healthy mouth between visits, follow these preventive dentistry tips:
Brush and Floss Twice a Day
Be sure to brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste for at least two minutes twice daily. Floss at least once each day to effectively remove debris along the gumline and between teeth, which supports the results of your prophylaxis and general dentistry visits.
Eat a Balanced, Nutritious Diet
Reduce sugary and acidic foods and beverages to help prevent tooth decay and enamel erosion. A healthy diet full of fruits, vegetables, protein, and calcium-rich foods supports strong teeth and gums and works hand in hand with preventive dentistry in Cody, WY.
Drink Plenty of Water
Sipping water in between meals not only helps rinse away food particles but also helps keep your mouth and teeth clean so you can maximize the benefits of our preventive dental services in Cody, WY.
Quit Tobacco Use
Smoking, chewing tobacco, and vaping can all lead to gum disease, tooth loss, and oral cancer. Talk to us at our office about resources to help you kick your habit for good and better protect the results of your preventive dentistry and prophylaxis appointments.
Testimonials
As someone who has always been anxious about dental visits, Dr. Gardner's patient-centered approach and gentle demeanor instantly put me at ease...
committing to excellence
Why Choose Sage Hills Dental for Exams and Cleanings?
A professional and caring dental office is essential for keeping your smile bright and healthy. Our practice was founded on trust, and our focus on excellent preventive dental services is what makes us one of the most highly recommended dental offices in Cody for routine dental exams and professional cleanings. Here is how we stand out in general dentistry and preventive dental services:
- Personalized Patient Care: At Sage Hills Dental, we take the time to educate you about your oral health during every exam and cleaning so you understand how our preventive dental services in Cody, WY, support a healthier smile.
- Caring, Experienced Team: Dr. Gardner and our highly skilled dental hygienists are gentle, patient, and focused on helping everyone feel comfortable at the dentist during prophylaxis and other general dentistry treatments.
- Advanced Technology: Digital X-rays and the latest in diagnostic technology allow us to provide quick, accurate, and thorough care with every preventive visit, which is a key part of preventive dentistry in Cody, Wyoming.
- Relaxed Dental Visits: We strive to make our office as comfortable as possible for your convenience, so you feel right at home during every dental exam and cleaning with our Cody preventive dentistry team.
- Community-Oriented: We care about the health and wellness of our neighbors in Cody, WY, and take pride in building long-term relationships through our trusted preventive dental services in Cody, WY.
Routine Dental Exams and Teeth Cleanings FAQs
Find answers to some of the most common questions our patients have about routine dental visits and checkups.
How frequently should I get my teeth cleaned and have a dental exam?
Most people need a dental exam and professional cleaning every six months. If you have gum disease or other conditions, you may need more frequent cleanings and exams as recommended by our dental care team.
Are dental cleanings painful?
No, professional dental cleanings are usually painless. Let us know if you have sensitive teeth or gums, and our hygienists will do their best to make you as comfortable as possible during your prophylaxis appointment.
Do I need dental X-rays at every checkup?
X-rays allow us to catch hidden dental issues like tooth decay or bone loss before they progress and cause pain or more severe symptoms, which helps us provide effective Cody preventive dental treatments.
Can all stains be removed during a teeth cleaning?
Dental cleanings can remove most external or surface stains. Intrinsic or deeper stains may require additional professional whitening as part of our cosmetic and general dentistry options.
What is the difference between a regular dental cleaning and a deep cleaning?
A regular cleaning, or prophylaxis, targets the plaque and tartar above the gum line. A deep cleaning, also called scaling and root planing, is a therapeutic treatment for gum disease that also targets buildup below the gum line on the roots of teeth.