Dental Exams & Teeth Cleaning in Wayzata, MN

What Can I Expect During My Dental Exam in Wayzata?

If you are looking for a dentist to perform a dental exam, please contact our office. We do our best to make new patients feel welcome and at ease, regardless of how long it’s been since you had a routine exam. By explaining what’s happening during your exam, we hope you’ll relax and feel comfortable discussing questions and concerns with your dentist and our staff.

During your dental exam, you can expect your dentist to review your X-rays and check your teeth and gums, looking for visual evidence of tooth decay and gum disease. He or she will check each tooth, so a comprehensive dental exam usually takes about 50 minutes. Your dentist will check your bite, look for signs of oral cancer and also will review your oral hygiene habits and make suggestions for improvement.

If you typically avoid visiting a dentist unless you have to, we urge you to reconsider. Dental problems can sneak up on you and you may not feel any pain until you have a major problem. Preventative care always costs less, and it’s easier on you. You might not mind going to the dentist once you have good checkups again. If you need a routine exam, please call us to schedule it with one of our dentists.

Who Offers Dental Cleanings and Gum Disease Treatment?

We offer teeth cleaning services, treatment for gum disease and a wide range of other dental services. During a professional cleaning, our hygienist will use a scaler to remove plaque and tartar and then clean your teeth with a gritty toothpaste that removes minor stains from your teeth. He or she will floss your teeth and apply a fluoride treatment to protect your teeth. Regular cleanings help prevent cavities and gum disease, in addition to freshening your breath and making your smile brighter.

We offer treatment for gingivitis and periodontal disease. Gingivitis is when your gums become inflamed, red and swollen. They may even bleed when you brush your teeth or floss. It’s essential to get treatment for gingivitis because it may progress to periodontal disease. You can get periodontal treatment to halt its progression; however, you can’t reverse periodontal disease. Not every case of gingivitis progresses to periodontal disease, but everyone with periodontal disease had gingivitis first. If you have gingivitis symptoms, please call our office to make an appointment for treatment.

Can I Get a Bad Breath Cure from a Dentist?

Yes. Unlike products such as the mouth rinses and breath mints sold in drugstores, which mask bad breath, a dentist will try to find the cause of your bad breath and suggest a cure. The first thing dentists look for when a patient expresses concern about bad breath is evidence of poor dental hygiene. Patients often fail to floss properly and don’t brush or scrape their tongue when they brush their teeth; the bacteria in plaque causes unpleasant odors. Your dentist will suggest a professional cleaning and our hygienist can show you how to prevent plaque build-up and how to scrape your tongue. Your dentist will also look for untreated decay and gum disease, which can cause bad breath. If you smoke, quitting will make your breath fresher, in addition to lowering your risk for oral cancer. Having a dry mouth will also contribute to bad breath problems. You can chew sugarless gum, drink more water or ask your dentist about artificial saliva if all else fails. Call our office today to schedule an exam so our dentist can help you get rid of bad breath permanently.

How Often Should I Have an Oral Cancer Screening?

Adults should have a screening for oral cancer at least once a year, more often if they smoke or are heavy drinkers. Many dentists incorporate a quick screening into routine exams, which is optimal, since early detection can significantly increase your chance of survival. The simple, non-invasive visual and tactile screening takes less than five minutes and it’s painless. You may have had a screening before and not realized it. Our dentists are passionate about raising public awareness about this deadly disease; they will explain what to look for at home, between screenings. Symptoms that you should alert us to between screenings include red or white patches of skin, sores that don’t heal with two weeks, lumps, unexplained loose teeth and problems swallowing. If you haven’t had a screening in over a year or you have any symptoms of oral cancer, please call our office to schedule your screening as soon as possible.

For a routine dental exam in Wayzata, please contact our office and request an appointment.