A cleaning and exam at Red Desert Dental in St. George, Utah is a routine six-month visit: a hygienist cleans and polishes your teeth, checks the health of your gums, takes digital X-rays when they are due, and Dr. Fisher reviews everything with you before you leave.
What happens at a cleaning and exam
The visit runs in the same order every time, so there are no surprises. Your hygienist asks what has changed since your last visit, then cleans and polishes, measuring your gums as she goes. Digital X-rays are taken only when they are actually due. Dr. Fisher then looks over the whole mouth and the images, and shows you anything worth watching on the screen rather than describing it at you.
You leave knowing exactly what, if anything, needs attention. Nothing gets scheduled in the moment that you have not agreed to.
How long a cleaning takes
Most cleaning and exam appointments run about an hour. A first visit takes a little longer, because we record your history and take a full set of images to work from.
How often you should have your teeth cleaned
Every six months suits most people. If you are being treated for gum disease, or you are prone to build-up, we may suggest every three or four months for a while and then move you back. That is a recommendation with a reason attached, not a subscription.
Who it is for
Every age in the family, in the same practice. Children, teenagers, adults, and older patients are all seen here, and parents are welcome to sit right alongside a nervous child rather than waiting out front. See kids and teens for how first visits are handled.
What a cleaning and exam costs
Most dental plans cover two preventive visits a year at or close to full coverage. We check your coverage before the appointment and tell you what to expect, and if we cannot verify it that day we quote the full amount up front. You always get the number before you agree to anything. That is the same approach we take with larger work, described in how we quote a crown before we start.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I get my teeth cleaned?
Every six months is right for most people. If you are being treated for gum disease or you build up tartar quickly, we may recommend every three or four months for a period, then move you back to six.
Do you take X-rays at every cleaning?
No. We take digital X-rays only when they are due, which for most adults is not at every visit. A first visit includes a full set so we have a baseline to compare against.
Can I book my family’s cleanings together?
We schedule families together when the day allows it. Ask when you call and we will fit as many of you into one trip as we can.
Red Desert Dental is on Canyon Rim Road in St. George, Utah, and we see families from across Washington County, including Washington, Santa Clara, Ivins, and Hurricane. Book a visit or call and describe what is going on; we will tell you what it usually takes before you come in.