Reclaim Your Oral Health with Routine Dental Exams and Cleanings

Whether you have been putting off dental appointments or are new to the Norwood, NJ, area or Manhattan, NY, Dr. Kelli Brady is ready to help you take control of your oral health with routine dental exams and cleanings.

The condition of your teeth doesn’t only affect your oral health—it impacts your overall health, how you eat, and even how you feel. With Dr. Kelli Brady, it’s never too late to put your smile on a healthy track. No matter the state of your smile, schedule an appointment today with our office. 

What should I expect during a dental exam?

We recommend dental exams at least two times annually. However, if you are at risk of gum disease and tooth decay, you should see your dentist 3-4 times annually. Dental exams are fast and painless, so you’ve nothing to worry about.

During your dental exam, the dentist inspects your teeth and gums for signs of:

  • Gum disease
  • Tooth decay
  • Oral cancer
  • Misaligned teeth and bite
  • Teeth grinding
  • Failing dental work

Visual exams (with the help of an intraoral camera) are crucial, but they can only see so much. Your dentist uses dental x-rays to examine the inner structures not visible to the naked eye. Dental x-rays help spot issues like impacted teeth, bone loss, tumors, interproximal cavities, etc. that can be missed during a standard exam.  A dental scan is taken using a tiny camera that can digitally recreate your teeth and track any changes, such as gum recession, teeth shifting, and cavity development. 

What is included in my dental cleaning?

Professional cleaning or oral prophylaxis uses special skills and tools to remove built-in plaque and dental calculus (tartar). Dental cleanings are essential for maintaining good dental health and leave you feeling refreshed. Although you brush and floss your teeth daily, dental calculus accumulates in areas your toothbrush doesn’t reach. 

Professional cleanings remove dental calculus from all surfaces in the mouth to prevent gum disease, decay, bad breath, and other problems. After cleaning your teeth, the hygienist polishes them with special toothpaste to remove surface stains. Dental cleanings leave you with a smooth, shiny, plaque-free smile.

Standard cleanings are preventive. However, if we detect gum disease, we recommend a deep teeth cleaning (known as scaling and root planing) to prevent your condition from progressing. Scaling and root planing is different than a standard cleaning. After numbing the area, the hygienist cleans beneath the gum line to the base of the gum “pocket”, removing tartar, calculus and bacteria.  The pockets are disinfected using an antibacterial solution, as well as localized antibiotics in some cases.

Is your regular dental check-up due?

When was the last time you had a dental exam? Is it more than six months? If yes, it’s time to schedule an appointment with Kelli Brady, DDS. Call any of our conveniently located offices in Norwood, NJ (201) 806-6866 and New York, NY (646) 692-0227. We can’t wait to give you the healthy, beautiful smile you deserve!