Dental Cleanings & Exams in Owasso, OK
The Foundation of Your Family's Healthy, Confident Smiles
Your family’s journey to lifelong oral health begins with something beautifully simple yet incredibly powerful—regular dental cleanings and comprehensive examinations. At Lexington Dental of Owasso, we believe that compassionate family dental care starts with prevention, and there’s nothing more important than helping your family maintain healthy, confident smiles through gentle, thorough preventive care.
Ready to prioritize your oral health with professional dental cleanings and exams? Call our Owasso dental practice at (918) 274-8500 to schedule your appointment today. Dr. Cary proudly welcomes new patients from Claremoe, Tulsa, Collinsville, and the greater Oklahoma area.
The Lexington Dental Difference: Dr. Cary's Personal Approach
Our Owasso family dentist, Dr. Jacob Cary, brings a personal touch to preventive care that reflects his Oklahoma roots and commitment to family values. After completing his Doctor of Dental Surgery at New York University College of Dentistry, Dr. Cary chose to return to his home state, where he grew up on a small family farm, bringing big-city expertise with small-town care to the Owasso community.
What sets our practice apart is Dr. Cary’s hands-on approach to every cleaning and examination appointment. Rather than rushing through routine visits, he takes time to educate patients about their oral health, answer questions thoroughly, and build lasting relationships with families. This personal attention, combined with our team of long-term employees who share his patient-focused philosophy, creates a welcoming environment where patients feel valued and cared for rather than just processed through appointments.
What Are Dental Cleanings & Exams?
Dental cleanings and examinations are fundamental preventive procedures that form the cornerstone of optimal oral health care. Professional dental cleanings, also known as prophylaxis, involve the thorough removal of plaque, tartar, and surface stains from your teeth using specialized instruments and techniques that cannot be replicated with at-home brushing and flossing. Comprehensive dental examinations include visual inspection of teeth, gums, and oral tissues, and digital X-rays when necessary. These combined services work together to prevent dental problems, detect issues in their earliest stages, and maintain the health and appearance of your smile throughout your lifetime.
Types of Dental Cleanings & Exams at Lexington Dental of Owasso
Routine Dental Cleanings
- Standard Prophylaxis: Recommended for patients with healthy gums and minimal plaque buildup, performed every six months as part of routine preventive care. This gentle cleaning removes surface stains and polishes teeth to a bright shine while maintaining optimal gum health.
- Adult Preventive Cleanings: Comprehensive cleanings for adult patients that include thorough plaque and tartar removal, fluoride treatment when beneficial, and detailed oral hygiene instruction. These appointments typically last 45-60 minutes and provide personalized care based on individual needs.
- Pediatric Cleanings: Age-appropriate, gentle cleanings for children that focus on education, prevention, and creating positive dental experiences. Our team uses child-friendly techniques and equipment to make visits comfortable and enjoyable for young patients.
Deep Cleaning Procedures
- Scaling and Root Planing: Non-surgical periodontal therapy for patients with gum disease that involves removing bacteria and toxins from below the gum line. This deep cleaning procedure smooths root surfaces to promote healing and prevent future bacterial accumulation.
- Periodontal Maintenance: Specialized cleanings are performed every three to four months for patients with a history of gum disease to maintain periodontal health. These appointments monitor gum tissue healing and prevent disease recurrence through ongoing professional care.
- Gross Debridement: Intensive cleaning procedures for patients with excessive tartar buildup that prevents proper examination. This preliminary treatment removes heavy deposits to allow for thorough evaluation and subsequent appropriate care.
Comprehensive Dental Exam Components
Visual and Digital Assessment
- Thorough Oral Inspection: Dr. Cary examines all teeth, gums, tongue, cheeks, and oral tissues for signs of decay, disease, or abnormalities that require attention.
- Digital X-Ray Analysis: Advanced imaging technology provides detailed views of tooth structures, bone levels, and hidden problems not visible during visual examination.
- Periodontal Evaluation: Careful measurement of gum pocket depths and assessment of gum tissue health to detect early signs of periodontal disease.
- Bite Analysis: Evaluation of how upper and lower teeth come together to identify alignment issues or bite problems that could cause future complications.
- Oral Cancer Screening: Systematic examination of all oral tissues, including the tongue, throat, and neck areas, to detect any suspicious changes or lesions.
- TMJ Assessment: Evaluation of jaw joint function and muscle tension to identify temporomandibular disorders that may require treatment.
Benefits of Regular Dental Cleanings & Exams
Regular preventive care appointments provide numerous advantages for your oral health and overall well-being:
Who Benefits from Regular Cleanings & Exams?
Everyone benefits from preventive dentistry. When you choose regular preventive care at Lexington Dental of Owasso, you’re investing in so much more than clean teeth. You’re protecting your family’s overall health, saving money on future treatments, and creating positive dental experiences while avoiding dental emergencies.
- Families with Children: Parents seeking to establish healthy dental habits early while maintaining their own oral health through convenient family-friendly appointments at one trusted practice.
- Adults with Busy Lifestyles: Professionals who value efficient, thorough care that fits into demanding schedules while preventing time-consuming dental problems in the future.
- Patients with Health Conditions: Individuals with diabetes, heart disease, or other medical conditions that increase their risk for oral health complications and require closer monitoring.
- Seniors and Older Adults: Mature patients dealing with age-related oral health changes, medication effects, or mobility issues who benefit from gentle, comprehensive care.
- Tobacco Users: Smokers and tobacco users face elevated risks for gum disease, oral cancer, and tooth loss, requiring more frequent professional care and monitoring.
- Patients with Dental Anxiety: Individuals who benefit from building trusting relationships with dental providers in a comfortable environment that reduces stress and promotes regular care.
The Lexington Dental Cleaning & Exam Process
Before Your Appointment
- Medical History Review: Our team reviews your current medications, health conditions, and any changes since your last visit to provide safe, appropriate care.
- Insurance Verification: We confirm your dental benefits and discuss any treatment costs or payment options before beginning your appointment.
- Comfort Assessment: Dr. Cary discusses any concerns, sensitivities, or anxiety you may have about your appointment to address them appropriately.
During Your Visit
- Professional Cleaning: Our skilled hygienists use advanced ultrasonic scalers and hand instruments to remove plaque, tartar, and stains from all tooth surfaces.
- Polishing and Fluoride: Teeth are polished to a smooth finish and fluoride treatment may be applied to strengthen enamel and prevent decay.
- Comprehensive Examination: Dr. Cary performs a thorough examination of your teeth, gums, and oral tissues, discussing any findings with you immediately.
- Treatment Planning: If any issues are discovered, we develop a personalized treatment plan that addresses your needs, preferences, and budget considerations.
After Your Appointment
Our Owasso dental team provides specific recommendations for brushing, flossing, and other oral hygiene practices based on your individual needs.
Aftercare Instructions for Optimal Results
Following your professional cleaning and examination, proper aftercare helps maintain results and promotes continued oral health:
Immediate Post-Cleaning Care
Avoid consuming staining beverages like coffee, tea, or red wine for 24-48 hours following professional polishing to prevent immediate re-staining. Choose soft foods if you experience any gum sensitivity, and rinse gently with warm salt water if recommended by Dr. Cary.
Daily Oral Hygiene
Brush your teeth twice daily with fluoride toothpaste using proper technique, and floss daily to remove plaque between teeth where your toothbrush cannot reach. Consider using an antimicrobial mouthwash if recommended to help control bacteria and maintain fresh breath.
Lifestyle Considerations
Stay well-hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day to help rinse away bacteria and food particles. Limit sugary and acidic foods and beverages that can contribute to tooth decay and enamel erosion.
The Importance of Regular Preventive Dental Care
Preventive dental care represents the most effective and cost-efficient approach to maintaining oral health. Regular cleanings and examinations allow Dr. Cary to identify potential problems before they develop into more serious, expensive conditions requiring extensive treatment. Research consistently demonstrates the strong connection between oral health and overall systemic health, with periodontal disease linked to cardiovascular disease, diabetes complications, and other serious medical conditions.
During your preventive visits, our team removes harmful bacteria and toxins that can contribute to tooth decay, gum disease, and chronic bad breath. Professional cleanings reach areas that home care cannot access, particularly along the gum line and between teeth, where plaque and tartar typically accumulate. This thorough cleaning process helps maintain healthy gum tissues and prevents the progression of periodontal disease.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most patients benefit from professional cleanings and examinations every six months, as recommended by the American Dental Association. However, Dr. Cary may suggest more frequent visits every three to four months for patients with gum disease, a history of frequent cavities, or certain medical conditions that increase oral health risks. Factors such as your oral hygiene habits, diet, tobacco use, and overall health status help determine the optimal schedule for your individual needs.
Your initial visit will include a comprehensive medical and dental history review, followed by a thorough examination of your teeth, gums, and oral tissues. Dr. Cary will take digital X-rays if needed and perform an oral cancer screening as part of the comprehensive evaluation. The professional cleaning will remove plaque, tartar, and stains, followed by polishing and fluoride treatment if beneficial. We’ll discuss our findings, answer your questions, and develop a personalized treatment plan if any issues are discovered.
Most routine cleaning and examination appointments last between 45 minutes to one hour, depending on the amount of buildup present and the complexity of your individual needs. First-time patients may require slightly longer appointments to allow time for comprehensive evaluation and medical history discussion. Deep cleanings or scaling and root planing procedures typically require longer appointments or may be scheduled over multiple visits for optimal comfort and thoroughness.
Most dental insurance plans cover preventive services like routine cleanings and examinations at 100% with no deductible, recognizing the cost-effectiveness of prevention versus treatment. We work with numerous insurance providers and will verify your benefits before your appointment to explain your coverage. For patients without insurance, we offer affordable self-pay rates and flexible payment options to make preventive care accessible for everyone.
If Dr. Cary discovers any issues during your examination, he will explain the findings using easy-to-understand language and may show you digital images to help you visualize the problem. We’ll discuss all available treatment options, expected outcomes, and associated costs so you can make informed decisions about your care. Treatment can often be scheduled at your convenience, and we’ll prioritize any urgent issues that require immediate attention while developing a comprehensive plan for addressing all your oral health needs.
Your Family's Healthy Future Starts with One Phone Call to Your Owasso General Dentist
Don’t wait until dental problems develop – proactive preventive care is the key to maintaining a healthy, beautiful smile throughout your lifetime. At Lexington Dental of Owasso, Dr. Jacob Cary and our experienced team provide gentle, thorough cleanings and comprehensive examinations using the latest technology and techniques. Our commitment to patient education, comfort, and personalized care sets us apart as the premier choice for family dental care in the Owasso area.
Take the first step toward optimal oral health by scheduling your dental cleaning and examination at Lexington Dental of Owasso. Call us today at (918) 274-8500 to reserve your appointment. Located at 8500 N 129th East Avenue in Owasso, we welcome new patients from Claremore, Tulsa, Collinsville, and throughout the greater Oklahoma region. Experience the difference that quality preventive care can make for your smile and overall health.
Your oral health is an investment in your overall well-being, and regular professional care is the foundation of a lifetime of healthy smiles. Contact Lexington Dental of Owasso today to discover why families throughout the area trust us for their preventive dental care needs.
Meet Your Dentist
Dr. Jacob Cary, DDS
