Dental Checkups And Cleanings – Worthington, OH 

Good oral health is vitally important for your quality of life, and Dr. Carolyn Molzahn and our team are here to help. When you practice good habits at home and see us for regular checkups and cleanings, maintaining a healthy smile is easy. You’ll avoid many dental problems altogether and improve your overall well-being at the same time. If you want to be proactive about your oral health, give us a call to schedule a dental checkup and cleaning. With just two of these visits a year, you can keep your smile healthy and happy!

What’s Included In a Dental Checkup?

During your visit, Dr. Molzahn will make sure every aspect of your dental health is in great shape. Along with a visual exam of your teeth, gums, and soft tissues, she'll also use various diagnostic tools for a thorough evaluation. Here’s what each checkup includes:

• To begin, we’ll ask if your medical history has changed since we last saw you.
• About once per year, we’ll take digital X-rays that use 90% less radiation than traditional. These images show Dr. Molzahn what she can’t see with her eyes alone (such as small cavities that aren’t causing pain yet).
• You’ll also get an annual gum exam. This allows us to find gum disease in its earliest stages, when treatment is most effective.
• Then, both Dr. Molzahn and one of our hygienists will do a fast, easy oral cancer screening.
• We’ll also evaluate your temporomandibular joint (TMJ) to make sure it’s functioning well.
• Lastly, we’ll look closely at your teeth and existing dental work. If you have any treatment needs, we’ll discuss our recommendations and answer any questions you may have.

What Is a Dental Cleaning Like?

Even people with great oral hygiene habits at home build up plaque and tartar that contributes to cavities, bad breath, and gum disease. Getting a cleaning from one of our gentle, experienced hygienists every 6 months will help you prevent many of these issues. 

Before we start the cleaning itself, we’ll ask if you have any questions or concerns. Then we’ll use hand tools or an ultrasonic instrument (or a combination of the two) to remove the plaque and tartar from your teeth. Finally, we’ll polish and floss and give you personalized tips for your oral hygiene routine at home.

Why Are Checkups and Cleanings Important?

Checkups and cleanings are important for a variety of reasons. First, they’re a chance for Dr. Molzahn to find everything from TMJ issues to cavities before these problems become more advanced. When we catch things early, treatment is much easier and less expensive. In addition, researchers have found overwhelming evidence that gum disease increases your risk of many health problems like heart disease, dementia, stroke, certain cancers, and more. Regular cleanings and gum exams go a long way towards keeping your gums healthy. Finally, everyone needs the self-confidence that comes from having a smile they feel good about. Professional cleanings will not only help your teeth feel great but also look fantastic!