Dental cleanings and exams in Irving, TX

What happens at a dental checkup

A routine visit has two parts: a dental cleaning with a hygienist and an exam with a dentist. For most adults in Irving, the whole appointment takes about an hour. A first visit with a full set of x-rays can run a little longer.

The cleaning. Your hygienist removes plaque and hardened tartar from above and just below the gumline. Our A-dec chairs have a built-in piezo scaler, which uses gentle vibration and water and is quieter and smoother than you may expect. Then we polish, floss and, when it’s helpful, apply fluoride.

The exam. The dentist checks every tooth for decay, cracks and worn fillings, measures the gum pockets around your teeth, looks at your bite and jaw, and reviews your x-rays. You’ll hear what looks healthy, what to keep an eye on and anything that needs care, in plain language and without pressure.

Signs you might need cleanings & exams

• It’s been more than six months since your last cleaning
• Your gums bleed when you brush or floss
• Bad breath that doesn’t go away
• A tooth is sensitive to hot, cold or sweets
• You’re pregnant or managing diabetes
• A sore or patch in your mouth hasn’t healed in two weeks

Digital x-rays: how often you really need them

X-rays show what a mirror can’t: decay between teeth, infection at the tip of a root, bone levels and teeth that haven’t come in yet. We use digital sensors, which need less radiation than old film x-rays and put the image on screen in seconds.

How often you need them depends on your risk, not a fixed calendar. Following ADA and FDA guidance, adults with healthy teeth and no new cavities may only need bite-wing x-rays every two to three years, while people at higher risk for cavities often need them every six to 18 months. A full set is usually taken at a first visit and then every several years. Kids often need x-rays more often because their mouths change quickly. We’ll tell you why we’re recommending any x-ray before we take it.

Oral cancer screening and the intraoral camera

During your exam, the dentist looks at and gently feels your tongue, cheeks, the floor and roof of your mouth, your throat and the lymph nodes in your neck. We’re checking for sores, patches or lumps that don’t belong. Most findings turn out to be harmless, but oral cancers are far easier to treat when they’re caught early. Tobacco, heavy drinking and HPV all raise the risk.

Our intraoral camera is a small wand that puts a magnified picture of your teeth on the screen in front of you. If we say a filling is cracked or a tooth has a dark spot, you’ll see it for yourself. It’s the most honest way we know to answer the question, “Do I really need that?” See the rest of our dental technology.

Cleanings for kids and for adults

Kids’ cleanings are shorter and gentler, with more time spent on coaching. We count teeth, polish, check how adult teeth are coming in, and show kids and parents the spots the toothbrush keeps missing. Fluoride varnish and dental sealants are two of the simplest ways to keep growing teeth cavity-free.

Adult cleanings spend more time on tartar below the gumline, gum measurements, and checking older fillings and crowns for leaks or cracks. If you have kids, our children’s dentistry page explains their visits, and you can book your cleaning and theirs on the same day.

Regular cleaning or deep cleaning?

A regular cleaning, sometimes called a prophy, is for gums that are healthy or only mildly inflamed. If your gum pockets have deepened, typically to 4 millimeters or more with tartar and bone loss underneath, a regular cleaning can’t reach the problem. That’s when we recommend scaling and root planing, often called a deep cleaning.

A deep cleaning is done with numbing, often over two visits, and smooths the root surfaces so the gums can tighten back up. It isn’t an upsell; it treats active gum disease, which has been linked to diabetes and heart disease. Learn more about gum disease treatment and how gum disease and diabetes affect each other.

How often should you get a dental cleaning?

Twice a year is a good starting point for most people, and it’s what most dental plans are built around. But it isn’t one-size-fits-all. If you’ve been treated for gum disease, we often recommend cleanings every three to four months to keep it under control. People with diabetes, pregnant patients, smokers and anyone who builds up tartar quickly may benefit from more frequent visits too.

If it’s been years, don’t let that keep you away. We won’t lecture you; we’ll start where you are. We’re open seven days, including Saturdays and Sunday mornings, so a checkup doesn’t have to cost you a day off.

What to expect, step by step

1. Health history and concerns

   We review your medications and any health changes, and ask what’s been bothering you.

2. X-rays if they’re due

   Digital x-rays are taken only when your history and risk call for them.

3. Cleaning

   Your hygienist removes plaque and tartar, then polishes and flosses your teeth.

4. Exam and screening

   The dentist checks your teeth, gums, bite and soft tissues, including an oral cancer screening.

5. Your plan

   You see your photos and x-rays, hear what’s healthy and what’s not, and book your next visit.

Cost, insurance & financing

Many PPO plans cover routine cleanings, exams and x-rays at or near 100%, usually twice a year. Check your plan’s details or ask us to look them up. We also accept Texas Medicaid and CHIP dental for children 18 and under, which cover regular checkups.

If you don’t have insurance, the Kudo Care Concierge Membership covers preventive visits, including dental cleanings, for a one-time $50 activation and a low monthly fee. See insurance and financing or our guide to dental care without insurance.