Dental exams & cleanings
Regular dental care is a chance to ask questions, check changes and plan ahead. Tell the team about sensitivity, bleeding gums, medical changes or anything that has made visits difficult in the past.
Share your concerns
Review your oral health
Plan preventive care
Understanding your options
Do I need a visit if nothing hurts? Dental problems can develop before they are painful. An examination can help identify issues you may not notice at home.
What to bring and discuss
Tell the team about changes in your health, medicines, allergies and recent dental symptoms. Bring available insurance details and ask how previous dental records can be shared. Mention bleeding gums, dry mouth, sensitivity or discomfort even if the symptom comes and goes.
What the visit is for
An examination evaluates the teeth and supporting tissues; cleaning addresses deposits and helps you maintain oral hygiene. These are related but different parts of care. The dentist decides whether imaging or additional tests are needed, based on your individual findings rather than a promise of identical tests at every visit.
Questions before you leave
Ask which findings need attention now, which can be monitored and how to clean difficult areas. A routine cleaning is not a substitute for treatment of diagnosed gum disease. Discuss the recommended recall interval rather than assuming everyone needs the same schedule.
Questions patients ask
Do I need to wait until something hurts? No. Early problems may not be painful; discuss prevention and any changes you have noticed.
Will every visit include X-rays? The need and timing depend on your history and examination. Ask why an image is recommended and what it helps assess.
Sources and review status
Expanded November 12, 2026. Clinical review by the practice is pending. Patient education: National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.
Temporary website review preview. Educational content awaits practice review and is not an individual diagnosis or treatment plan. Confirm current services with Fedon Family Dental.
More than a polished smile
An examination and a cleaning have different jobs. The examination evaluates your oral health; a professional cleaning removes deposits that brushing alone may leave behind. Your care plan and visit schedule should reflect your needs, not a one-size-fits-all timetable.