Take Control of Your Oral Health with Routine Dental Hygiene Visits

Park Avenue Dental Care emphasizes preventive dental care because it’s the most cost-effective way to maintain your healthy smile. Professional dental hygiene visits are one of the ways Drs. Gregory Duffner, Alexander Dolinar, and James J. Kreuz preserve healthy smiles. Even if you are a great flosser and brusher, you probably miss spots you don’t even realize. Plaque accumulates in these areas, causing oral infections, decay, and bad breath (halitosis). Oral hygiene visits (or cleanings) in Homewood, Illinois, remove plaque and other unhealthy deposits from all your mouth surfaces to keep your smile in great shape.

What can I expect during a dental hygiene visit?

Before proceeding, the dentist or hygienist will inspect your mouth to ensure there are no significant issues. We use an intraoral camera to examine even the trickiest corners of your mouth. If your dental exam doesn’t reveal substantial concerns, the hygienist or dentist will use a scaler to remove plaque and calculus deposits in your mouth.

Our hygiene visits are thorough. We clean every surface, including between teeth and near the gum line. After cleaning your teeth, the hygienist polishes your teeth to help prevent plaque accumulation and create a smooth, shiny surface. Your cleaning takes 30-45 minutes, but the benefits last a lifetime.

We expect to see you in the next six months. Before your next visit, brush your teeth daily. Ensure you reach every tooth surface, and don’t forget to clean or scrape your tongue. Floss your teeth daily, especially before bedtime. You can also use an alcohol-free mouthwash to remove harmful bacteria from hidden areas of your mouth. Optimal oral hygiene between dental appointments keeps your oral health in great shape and makes subsequent hygiene visits faster and easier.

Why do oral hygiene visits (cleanings) matter?

Are you thinking of skipping your upcoming dental cleaning appointment? Resist the urge. The following are the notable benefits of regular dental cleanings:

  • Prevention: An in-depth cleaning every six months prevents plaque accumulation, keeping teeth and gums healthy. When left to thrive, plaque calcifies into tartar or calculus, which home dental tools cannot remove.
  • Early detection: Your dental hygiene visits involve a comprehensive exam to assess your teeth, gums, and other oral structures for signs of infections, decay, etc. We also inspect the condition of your restorations and take corrective actions before it’s too late.
  • Confidence: We clean hard-to-reach spots in your mouth so that you can avoid bad breath. Dental cleanings also remove unsightly surface stains to maintain the aesthetics of your smile.
  • Enhanced overall health: It’s important to note that your oral and systemic health are inter-connected. Dental issues like periodontal disease can increase the risk of heart disease, diabetes, respiratory, and pregnancy complications. Keeping your mouth healthy pays dividends for your physical health.
  • Cost savings: A dental cleaning typically costs less than $200 and is often covered by insurance. This small investment goes a long way in preventing expensive dental treatments. Regular cleanings help you avoid costly restorative procedures, saving you hundreds or even thousands of dollars while keeping your smile healthy and vibrant.

Due for a dental cleaning?

In Homewood, Illinois, oral wellness visits keep your smile healthy and prevent serious health complications. Ready for your dental cleaning appointment? Call (708) 792-2779 to reserve your Park Avenue Dental Care appointment. Even if you are overdue for a dental cleaning, we don’t judge. We’ll make your experience gentle and judgment-free.