Dental cleanings and exams are vital components of maintaining a healthy, long-lasting smile. These preventive visits provide the foundation for your overall oral wellness, allowing our dentists and team to identify issues in their earliest stages and protect your teeth and gums from future complications. Whether you are coming in for your first visit or your routine checkup, cleanings and exams in Crystal Lake, Illinois, are essential to protecting your dental health for years to come.
What to Expect During Your Visit
When you visit our office for a routine dental cleaning and exam, a trained hygienist will begin by carefully removing plaque and tartar buildup from your teeth. This buildup often accumulates in hard-to-reach areas and, if left untreated, can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. Your hygienist will also floss and polish your teeth to help remove surface stains and leave your smile feeling fresh.
Following the cleaning, Dr. Amanda Henry or Dr. Kay Henry will conduct a thorough examination of your teeth, gums and mouth. We will look for signs of cavities, gum disease, oral cancer and other potential concerns. Depending on your oral health history and age, digital X-rays may be recommended to provide a more detailed view of your teeth and supporting structures. These X-rays help identify issues that may not be visible during a visual exam, such as bone loss, impacted teeth or developing decay beneath the enamel.
The Importance of Routine Preventive Care
Routine dental cleanings and exams play a key role in preventing serious oral health problems. By catching concerns early, our dentists can recommend conservative treatments before conditions progress into more complex and costly issues. For example, treating a small cavity with a filling is far less invasive than waiting until a root canal or extraction is needed. These appointments also provide valuable opportunities for patient education, allowing you to ask questions, receive personalized advice and learn best practices for daily oral hygiene.
How Often Should You Schedule Cleanings & Exams?
Most patients benefit from visiting the dentist every six months for a professional cleaning and exam. However, patients with certain conditions — such as gum disease, a history of frequent cavities or orthodontic appliances — may need more frequent visits. Our dentists will recommend a schedule tailored to your individual needs to ensure you receive optimal care.
If it has been more than six months since your last dental visit, now is the perfect time to take charge of your oral health. Contact our office today at 815-459-4847 or text us at 815-451-4847 to schedule your next dental cleaning and exam in Crystal Lake, IL. We look forward to helping you maintain a confident, healthy smile.