Check Out the Checkup!

Check out the checkup: a cleaning and exam twice a year is the simplest way to keep clean teeth, healthy gums and small problems small. At Southern York Smile Care in Shrewsbury, PA, we like to book your next visit before you leave, so the habit takes care of itself. Here is what happens at each visit and why it matters.

Why twice a year?

Brushing and flossing at home do most of the daily work. But plaque that is missed hardens into tartar, and tartar does not come off with a toothbrush. Left alone, it irritates your gums and gives bacteria a place to hide. A visit every six months removes that buildup before it can do real harm.

The other reason is timing. Cavities, gum disease and worn fillings rarely hurt in their early stages. By the time a tooth aches, the problem is usually bigger and the fix is bigger too. Regular checkups let your dentist find trouble while it is still small, quick and simple to treat.

Some people need to come in more often than twice a year, such as patients with a history of gum disease. Dr. Haywood will tell you what schedule makes sense for your mouth. You can read more in our article on how often you need a dental checkup.

The cleaning

Most visits begin with the cleaning. At Southern York Smile Care, a cleaning is a full 60 minutes, so nothing is rushed and there is time for your questions. You can learn more on our dental cleanings page.

Scaling

First, tartar is gently removed from your teeth, both above and just below the gumline. This step is called scaling. Tartar is simply plaque that has hardened, and once it forms, only a professional cleaning can take it away. That is one more reason brushing twice a day matters: less plaque means less tartar to remove.

Polishing

Next, your teeth are polished with a gritty paste. It does a great job lifting surface stains from coffee, tea and everyday foods. Patients sometimes ask if they can buy something like it for home. The trouble is that it is too abrasive to use every day. Your regular toothpaste is the right choice between visits.

Flossing and a few tips

The cleaning finishes with flossing between every tooth. This clears away anything loosened during scaling and polishing. It is also a good moment to ask about your brushing and flossing at home. Small changes, like the angle of your brush or how you curve the floss around each tooth, can make a real difference by your next visit.

The checkup

After the cleaning, it is the dentist's turn. The exam is a careful look at your whole mouth, not just your teeth.

Teeth and fillings

Dr. Haywood checks for new cavities, cracks and fillings or crowns that are starting to wear. Tools like the intraoral camera let you see what the dentist sees on a screen, so you understand any advice you are given. DIAGNOdent, a laser cavity detector, can help find decay in the grooves of back teeth before it shows up as a visible hole.

X-rays when they are needed

X-rays are not taken at every visit. When they are, our digital X-rays use up to 90% less radiation than older film. They show what the eye cannot: decay between teeth, problems under old fillings and the health of the bone that holds your teeth in place. See our dental technology page for more on the tools we use.

Gums

Your gums are checked for redness, swelling, bleeding and pockets around the teeth. These are early signs of gum disease. Caught early, gum disease can often be reversed with better cleaning at home and in the office. Caught late, it can lead to bone loss and loose teeth. Our gum disease treatments page explains the options.

Head, neck and oral cancer screening

Finally, the exam takes in your tongue, throat, face, head and neck. Your dentist is looking for swelling, redness or any spot that does not look right. Oral cancer screening at our office uses ViziLite, a blue dye rinse and OralCDX when a closer look is needed. Most findings turn out to be nothing serious, but early detection matters. Learn more about oral cancer screening.

What a checkup can catch early

Many dental problems give little warning. Regular visits are your best chance of finding them while treatment is still simple. A checkup can spot:

• Small cavities that can be fixed with a tooth-colored, BPA-free white filling instead of a crown later on.
• Early gum disease, often before you notice bleeding or bad breath.
• Cracks and worn teeth from grinding or clenching, which a night guard can help protect.
• Old fillings that are failing, including leaking edges where decay can start underneath.
• Changes in soft tissue that are worth watching or testing.

If something does need treatment, you will get a clear explanation and a plan. Our office is mercury-free, so we do not place silver fillings. When a tooth needs more than a filling, our restorative dentistry page covers crowns, bridges and other ways to rebuild it.

Getting the most from your visit

A few simple steps help your checkup go smoothly:

• Bring a list of your current medications. Some cause dry mouth, which raises the risk of decay.
• Mention any sensitivity, pain, bleeding or changes you have noticed, even small ones.
• Ask questions. The visit is a good time to talk about whitening, straightening or anything else on your mind.
• Book your next visit before you leave, so six months does not quietly become two years.

If you feel nervous about dental visits, let us know. Oral sedation is available, and our sedation dentistry page explains how it works.

Paying for checkups

Southern York Smile Care is out of network with every insurance company. You pay at the visit, and the office files the claim with your insurer so you can be reimbursed. Kelley Fisher, our Patient Care and Treatment Coordinator, can help with insurance questions. Payment plans through CareCredit and Cherry are also available. See our financing page for details.

Book your next checkup in Shrewsbury

A healthy, beautiful smile for life starts with a cleaning and checkup every six months. If it has been a while, there is no judgment here, just a fresh start. Call Southern York Smile Care at (717) 235-3871 or request an appointment online. We are at 4 S. Main St in Shrewsbury and welcome patients from York, southern York County and northern Baltimore County, MD.

About the authorDr. Steven Haywood, DDS

DDS cum laude 1987, US Air Force residency, NYU cosmetic training and Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists, with 35+ years in practice.

Meet Dr. Haywood →