Dental exams & cleanings
For anyone due for a routine visit, and anyone who has put it off for years.
A check-up is Dr. Malik looking for problems while they are still small: decay, gum trouble, worn teeth, anything unusual in the mouth. A cleaning removes the hardened plaque a toothbrush cannot, which keeps gums healthy and small problems from becoming big ones.
When to book a check-up.
- It has been six months or more since your last visit.
- You have not seen a dentist in years and do not know where to start.
- Your gums bleed when you brush or floss.
- You have a filling or a crown from years ago that nobody has looked at since.
- You have moved into one of the towers at Hurontario and Armdale and need a dentist for the family.
A check-up and cleaning, step by step.
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01
History and X-rays
You tell us about your health, medications and anything that worries you. X-rays are taken when needed to show decay between teeth and the bone under your gums; recent ones from another dentist can be sent over instead.
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02
The exam
Dr. Malik checks every tooth surface for decay and looks at existing fillings and crowns. He measures your gums, checks how your teeth meet when you bite, and looks at your tongue, cheeks and the roof of your mouth for anything that should not be there.
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03
Scaling
Tartar is lifted off the teeth and from just under the gum edge with fine instruments. This is the longest part if it has been a while, and it can be split over two visits.
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04
Polishing and fluoride
Surface stains and the plaque scaling leaves behind are polished off. If your teeth are prone to decay or sensitivity, a fluoride treatment goes on last.
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05
Plan and next visit
Dr. Malik tells you what he found in plain words and shows you on the X-ray. You leave with a plan for any treatment, in order of what matters most, and a date for your next check-up, usually in six months.
How we bill a check-up and cleaning.
A routine check-up and cleaning is usually one appointment. Most dental plans cover check-ups and cleanings, often twice a year.
Ask us what it will costDental exams & cleanings, answered.
How often should I get my teeth cleaned?
Every six months works for most people. If your gums need more attention, Dr. Malik may set a shorter interval until they settle.
Does a dental cleaning hurt?
Scaling can feel scratchy, and gums that are inflamed may be tender. Tell us and we slow down, numb the area properly where it helps, and stop if you need a break.
I haven't been to the dentist in ten years. What will happen?
The same thing that happens at any first visit: X-rays, an exam and a cleaning. If there is more to do, you get a plan that starts with whatever is causing trouble now, and you set the pace.
Do I need X-rays every time?
Not usually. Dr. Malik takes them when your history and what he sees call for it, and a full set is not repeated at every visit.
