Dental Cleanings & Exams

Keeping our teeth clean and free of plaque build-up is one of the most important things we can do for oral health. While brushing and flossing at home is vital to maintaining a healthy smile, visiting the dentist for routine care like professional cleanings and a yearly dental exam is just as important.

At Dental Group of Morristown, we offer professional dental cleanings and oral exams to help keep your teeth and gums healthy. Our experienced dental hygienists and dentists will thoroughly clean your teeth, removing any built-up plaque and tartar. We will also perform a thorough examination of your mouth, teeth, and gums to check for potential problems.

We offer a comprehensive range of preventative dental services, including dental cleanings, oral examinations, oral cancer screenings, patient education, and more to help you avoid dental issues like tooth decay and periodontal disease.

Professional Dental Cleaning

A professional dental cleaning (also called a dental prophylaxis) is a routine preventative service performed by one of our experienced dental hygienists. The primary purpose of professional dental cleaning is to remove any built-up plaque and tartar from your teeth.

Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that forms on your teeth and gums and, if not removed, can lead to gum disease. Plaque can also cause your teeth to become discolored and lead to bad breath.

Tartar is hardened plaque that has not been removed and has hardened onto your teeth. Tartar can only be removed by a professional dental cleaning. If the tartar is not removed, it can lead to gum disease, tooth decay, and possible tooth loss.

Professional cleanings should be performed every six months (or more frequently if recommended by your dentist) to reduce the possibility of oral health issues in the future.

During the Treatment

During your professional dental cleaning, our hygienist will use special instruments like a scaler and curette to remove any buildup from the surface of your teeth. They will also use a high-powered professional toothbrush to remove any remaining plaque and bacteria from the tooth’s surface.

After cleaning your teeth, our hygienist will floss your teeth and perform a final polish. A final polish will leave your teeth feeling smooth and looking shiny.

Oral Examination

An oral examination is a routine preventative service performed by one of our experienced dentists. A dental exam allows the dentist to check your mouth, teeth, and gums for potential problems or abnormalities.

Dental exams should be performed at least once a year or more often if you have concerns about your oral health.

The Treatment Process

Our dentist will check your mouth for any abnormalities or signs of oral cancer during your oral examination. They will also examine your teeth and soft tissues for tooth decay or gum disease, like bleeding gums, loose teeth, swelling, bumps, etc.

Our dentist will also check your bite, looking for any signs of TMJ (jaw joint) disorders or bruxism (teeth grinding). If necessary, they may take diagnostic x-rays of your mouth to check for any problems that are not visible to the naked eye, like bone loss or decay below the gum line.