Dental Checkups & Cleanings – Tulsa, OK

Early Detection Leads to Smooth Recoveries

Many oral health problems like tooth decay and gum disease can be virtually imperceptible to the untrained eye when they are in their early stages, and excellent oral hygiene habits are not enough to prevent destructive infections on their own. Thankfully, the team at O’Brien Dental Wellness Center is trained and equipped to provide top-notch preventive oral health services that can save you time, money, and suffering in the long run. Here’s how biannual checkups and cleanings from our Tulsa office can help you keep your teeth healthy and your smile beautiful for life.

Why Choose O’Brien Dental Wellness Center for Dental Checkups and Cleanings?

  • Experienced and Compassionate Dentist
  • Prevent Many Unpleasant Oral Health Problems
  • CareCredit Financing Available to Qualifying Patients

Why Are Regular Dental Checkups & Cleanings Important?

While you may be tempted to forgo routine dental visits if your mouth doesn’t hurt, this can lead to serious oral health problems in the long run. Many oral infections can be incredibly hard to notice until they have already inflicted serious damage, and early detection can make the difference between needing a filling and needing a tooth extraction. Routine exams and cleanings can prevent dental emergencies that may require you to take unscheduled time off work for extensive restorative procedures, and dental insurance plans typically cover the costs of regular preventive dental services completely. Poor oral health is also linked to a number of oral health issues such as hypertension and diabetes, so regular dental care may reduce your risk of developing such conditions.

What to Expect During a Dental Checkup

During your dental checkup, our team will carefully examine your teeth and gums to evaluate their health and alignment as well as any existing restorations. Our dentist will also check your soft tissues for signs of oral cancer, and you’ll probably receive X-rays once a year so we can look for internal problems. We’ll create a personalized treatment plan if we detect any issues and answer any questions you have about oral healthcare. We’ll also update and review your medical history and list of medications in case they require consideration when we’re planning your treatment.

What to Expect During a Dental Cleaning

There are parts of your mouth that cannot be properly cleaned with a toothbrush and dental floss, and professional cleanings serve to clear away buildups of food residue from these areas. We’ll use specialized tools to remove plaque and tartar that have accumulated between your teeth and along your gumline to reduce your risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and halitosis. We’ll also floss and polish your pearly whites to get rid of any minor surface stains.

Dental Checkups & Cleanings FAQs

Are Dental X-Rays Really Safe?

Yes, dental X-rays are generally safe. Although they emit some radiation, the amount is minimal. Also, as a holistic dentist in Tulsa, we take precautions to protect our patients. For example, we know that exposure to radiation is cumulative, so we exercise good judgment when determining whether X-rays are really needed.

How Long Will My First Dental Exam Take in Your Practice

At O’Brien Dental Wellness Center, we focus on being as thorough as possible. The first time you visit us for an examination, the appointment might last an hour and a half or so. While that might seem like a long time compared to what you are used to at other practices, we promise it is worth it!

We take the time to gather information about your medical history, your lifestyle, and more. We also thoroughly examine your teeth, gums, and other oral tissues. The goal is to identify current problems and propose treatment. We can also pinpoint risk factors for future issues and offer advice on how you can maintain your current level of oral health.

What Kind of Systemic Health Conditions Can Be Identified During a Holistic Dental Checkup?

Holistic dentistry is all about the whole-body wellness of our patients. The mouth is truly a major gateway to the rest of your body, and it can reveal surprising details about your overall health. For example, oral tissues can show signs of diabetes, eating disorders, stress, high blood pressure, a poor diet, kidney conditions, and more.

While we may not be able to provide any official diagnoses of systemic health conditions, we can alert you to indications that your overall health may be at risk. We may strongly advise you to visit your primary care provider or another qualified doctor for additional testing and treatment.

How Is a Holistic Checkup and Cleaning Different from a Conventional One?

Holistic checkups and cleanings often differ from the conventional approach in a few key ways:

  • Appointment length: Holistic care may require more time. We want to be as thorough as possible rather than simply rushing patients in and out of our office.
  • Different materials and treatments: We focus on using biocompatible materials, so you might notice that we use different materials and recommend different treatments than a conventional provider.
  • Holistic guidance: In addition to helping with your oral health, our team can offer guidance on lifestyle changes that can support both your smile and your head-to-toe wellness.

Will It Hurt to Get My Teeth Cleaned?

We try to be as gentle as possible, but sometimes, thorough dental cleanings cause a bit of discomfort. This is especially true when we need to apply extra pressure to remove accumulations of plaque and tartar on the teeth or along the gumline. Let us know if your cleaning gets uncomfortable; we may slow down or take other measures to make the experience easier for you.

Keep in mind thar regular cleanings (every six months) and thorough home care for your smile can make cleanings less intensive and more comfortable.