Dental Checkups & Cleanings – Lincoln, NE

Protect and Polish Your Smile

Patient looking up at dentist holding cleaning instruments

You might think that if you consistently brush and floss your teeth at home you’re safe from issues like tooth decay or gum disease, but that’s not necessarily true. Unfortunately, you can develop a problem and be completely unaware. For example, early signs of gum disease are notoriously hard to spot, and you might have a cavity between your teeth or behind your molars where you can’t see it.

Thankfully, your dentists at South Ridge Dental can protect and polish your smile through regular dental checkups and cleanings. We know how to identify areas of concern and address them before they progress into anything worse. If it’s been more than six months since your last visit, feel free to contact us and our dedicated staff will be happy to assist you.

Why Choose South Ridge Dental for Dental Checkups & Cleanings?

Accept Dental Insurance & Provide In-House Membership
Advanced Technology to Enhance Accuracy & Patient Comfort
Welcome Patients of All Ages

Why Are Regular Dental Checkups & Cleanings Important?

Woman smiling as dentist approaches

It’s normal to assume that your smile is in good health if you aren’t in any noticeable pain. However, this isn’t always the case. For example, if you have a tooth with weakening enamel and haven’t seen your dentist for a checkup, it’ll progress into tooth decay which can spread and impact surrounding teeth. Because oral issues don’t resolve on their own, your cavity will only get worse, and you’ll eventually require more costly and complex treatments. You might need an emergency root canal or a tooth extraction.

Seeing a professional consistently allows them to monitor the condition of your teeth and gums to spot areas of concern early enough to treat them. That way you can avoid possible pitfalls in the future.

What to Expect During a Dental Checkup

Closeup of patient’s mouth during oral examination

If you’ve been anxiously avoiding the dentist, it can set your mind at ease to have a solid understanding of what’s involved. Dental checkups typically include:

An oral examination. We’ll visually inspect your teeth, gums, existing dental work, and bite alignment.
An oral cancer screening. Many patients don’t know this is included in their preventative care appointment. It’s typically highly treatable if caught quickly enough, and your dentist knows how to identify the early indicators.
X-rays. We use digital X-rays to see below the surface of your mouth to spot potential issues that can’t be seen with the naked eye, such as those affecting the jawbone.
Offer treatment options if needed. If we do see any areas of concern, we’ll recommend appropriate remedies and develop a plan with your input.
Q&A. We take the time to inform you of our findings and answer any questions you may have about at-home dental care.

What to Expect During a Dental Cleaning

Nose down view of patient having teeth polished

Following your checkup, you’ll have a professional cleaning which usually consists of:

Plaque removal. Our hygienists use specialized tools to remove plaque, tartar, and bacteria buildup from your teeth and along your gum line. This protects your grin from tooth decay, gum disease, and bad breath.
We’ll thoroughly floss your teeth to remove buildup from between them and from under your gums.
Fluoride treatment. This strengthens your enamel to prevent cavities.
Tooth polishing. Once your teeth have been cleaned, we’ll polish them to remove surface stains and lighten them.

When you leave after your appointment, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that your smile is as healthy as it is beautiful.