Northland Dental

Northland Dental > Services > Dental Exams and Cleanings

By scheduling dental exams and teeth cleanings every six months, we can help you stay a step ahead of cavities and gum disease.

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Dental Exams and Cleanings

Wouldn’t it be great if there was a way to minimize dental problems like cavities and gum disease, avoid toothaches, and cut down on dental costs? It’s not as complicated as you might think!

Along with excellent at-home oral hygiene, routine dental checkups and teeth cleanings at Northland Dental are the key. Nearly half of all US adults over age 30 have some level of gum (periodontal) disease, and many aren’t even aware it exists.

It is crucial for us to catch and treat gum disease as soon as possible. Otherwise, it can quickly become very destructive to your teeth and gums, and in its advanced stages, can even lead to tooth loss.

The Effects of Gum Disease on Your General Health

Gum infections don’t just affect your oral health. Chronic periodontal disease has been closely linked to a long list of serious physical conditions like heart and lung disease, diabetes, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, pregnancy complications, and many others.

With this in mind, it’s more important than ever to be proactive with preventive dentistry.

What Is Preventive Dentistry?

Preventive dentistry includes comprehensive dental exams and personalized teeth cleanings at our Moorhead dental office and conscientious oral hygiene at home.

Routine Exams with Our Dentist

The American Dental Association recommends dental exams for everyone every six months. Seeing you at regular intervals allows Dr. Atchison to stay a step ahead of dental problems and provide prompt treatment when needed.

During a typical dental exam, your dentist does the following:

Reviews current x-rays for signs of cavities, broken fillings, and tooth wear
Checks and notes the condition of each of your teeth
Evaluates your dental bite
Performs an oral cancer screening

To include you in the process, Dr. Atchison uses intraoral cameras that display real-time images on your chairside monitor. You can follow along with him as he performs your examination and points out any problem areas that need our attention.

When you can visualize a problem like a cavity, you get a more complete picture of your oral health needs and can feel confident enough to make informed decisions about your treatment.

Teeth Cleanings with a Dental Hygienist

Dental cleanings with a skilled hygienist are non-negotiable if you want to ensure that your gums remain healthy. Because we tailor your cleanings to match your individual needs, how often we need to see you depends on your gum health.

If your gums are healthy, we recommend hygiene appointments every six months. If you have gingivitis (swollen or bleeding gums), we may recommend additional visits to ensure that it doesn’t develop into periodontitis (advanced gum disease).

Brushing and flossing conscientiously at home are crucial, and so are routine dental cleanings that remove the plaque and tartar (hardened plaque) your toothbrush and floss can’t reach.

During a teeth cleaning, your dental hygienist thoroughly clears away plaque from all surfaces of your teeth. Specialized instruments are used to remove tartar that you can’t remove at home, no matter how well you brush.

Schedule Your Next Dental Exam and Cleaning

At Northland Dental, we’re proud that we can improve someone’s life by improving their oral health. Whether it’s been six months or six years since your last dental visit, we would love to help you achieve your healthiest smile.

Please call our Moorhead dental office at (218) 236-7076 to schedule an appointment so we can get started.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I visit the dentist if my teeth don’t hurt?

Routine exams and teeth cleanings are crucial, regardless of whether or not your teeth feel okay. In fact, visiting the dentist when you aren’t experiencing any pain allows us to see if a cavity or other problem is brewing that we need to treat.

Dental Exams and Cleanings Every Six Months

We recommend preventive exams and teeth cleanings every six months for children and adults, the same frequency recommended by the American Dental Association. Patients with a history of gum disease may require more frequent dental cleanings to protect their oral health.

It is always easier on you and your oral health to practice prevention by being proactive with routine dental appointments. If you don’t, you may be at greater risk for cavities and gum disease that cause discomfort and may require involved treatment to correct.

Schedule a Dental Cleaning in Moorhead, MN

At Northland Dental, we are always happy to welcome new patients and families to our extended dental family. If it has been a while since your last exam and cleaning, you will receive no judgment from us; we care more about where your oral health is going than where it’s been, and we are excited to be taking this next step with you.

Meet Our Doctor:

Dr. Andrew Atchison

Andrew Atchison, DDS is a native of Fergus Falls, MN. He graduated from Concordia College and then graduated with a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Minnesota. He was previously employed with Metro Dental care in Coon Rapids, MN. Dr. Atchison enjoys every facet of general dentistry, and he looks forward to establishing relationships with all of his clients.

Dr. Atchison is a member of one of the most highly recognized comprehensive continuing education programs, Spear Education and Study Club, where he meets regularly with colleagues for collaboration ...

Dental Exams and Cleanings Technology

Intraoral Cameras

At Northland Dental, we know that it is important for our patients to feel empowered to make confident decisions about their oral health. Intraoral cameras are a technology that we use to keep you informed and help you understand what's happening with your oral health.

During your dental exam, Dr. Atchison uses this small handheld digital camera to take real-time images of your mouth, and you'll see them displayed on your chairside monitor. You get a close-up view of your teeth, and the dentist explains what you're looking at as he continues your examination. If he notices a problem like a cavity or broken filling, he'll explain why it's a problem and how treating it will benefit your long-term oral health.

Visualizing a problem for yourself is much more meaningful than being told what it is and gives you the information you need to make confident decisions about your treatment. We also save still images from your exam and save them to your patient history to refer to as needed or to share with insurance companies or specialists.

SEE OUR TECHNOLOGY

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