Cleanings & Exams
Healthy teeth require a commitment on your part, but the reward is a beautiful smile that is comfortable and helps you feel good about the way you look. Much like annual checkups with your physician, routine cleanings and exams at Darryl Hatchett, DDS, Family Dentistry allow us to monitor your oral health on an ongoing basis.
Regular Dental Exams
Regular dental exams allow us to periodically evaluate the current state of your oral health. During your exam, we focus on the entire mouth to detect problems like the onset of gum disease, problems with your dental bite, and even early signs of oral cancer.
First impressions matter, and we go out of our way to show you how important you are to us within moments of your arrival at our office. If you’re a new patient, Denver dentist Dr. Hatchett and the rest of our team will take the opportunity during your first visit to talk to you about your long-term expectations for a healthy mouth. As we get to know you, we’ll learn about your priorities and how we can help you achieve your goals in a way that makes sense for you.
After we spend some time chatting with you, we’ll perform a visual exam, which includes an oral cancer screening. We’ll check your dental bite for malocclusion and make notes about the condition of any existing dental work. Digital radiographs (x-rays) help us see if any problems are developing deep inside your teeth.
We’ll then use all this information to develop your long-term comprehensive treatment plan. At your next visit, we’ll review our findings, discuss your concerns, and work with you to establish a schedule for treatment that fits your budget and busy lifestyle.
Why Exams & Cleanings Are Important
We all tend to take our healthy teeth for granted when everything's feeling fine. However, there are situations where your teeth feel okay, but there are actually underlying problems that won't become noticeable until they show up in an unpleasant way.
We don't want you to ever have to get to this point, and the easiest way to avoid this is regular cleanings and exams at our Maiden dental office. Periodic visual exams give Dr. Hatchett the "big picture" view, and state-of-the-art digital x-rays give him precise and detailed images that show us problems before they become more complicated and difficult to fix.
The secret to a healthy, disease-free smile? Professional dental cleanings and exams. It's just as easy as that! You and your family can take all of the right steps with your at-home oral hygiene, but routine cleanings with a hygienist are still mandatory if you want your teeth to be as clean as they need to be to stay healthy.
Please Contact Us for an Appointment
We would love the opportunity to meet you and your family, learn about your oral health goals, and help you achieve the best possible oral health. Denver dentist Dr. Darryl is pleased to serve patients in Maiden and surrounding areas with outstanding dental care, so please call us to make an appointment for your next exam and cleaning.
Frequently Asked Questions
We like to see children for their first visit around the age of 4. At this age, most children have a full set of 20 baby teeth, and we can check to see how things are developing and perform services like exams and cleanings.
If this is your child’s first visit with us, we’ll take all the time needed for them to get comfortable with us. The goal of this visit is for us to meet them and let them see that going to the dentist is fun. We’ll give them a ride in the chair, count their teeth, and show them how to brush. Using digital x-rays (no film), we’ll take pictures of their mouth to get a baseline for future treatment.
We understand how important it is that we gradually get your child used being around us in the office environment. Dr. Hatchett and our professional team take all the time necessary to treat your children with the special attention they need to help them feel safe and secure.
As parents, we know that you probably have concerns about your child’s first trip to the dentist. Please do not hesitate to contact our Denver dental office, and we’ll be happy to arrange a visit so you can get to know Dr. Hatchett and our caring team.
Routine dental services obviously play an important role in helping you to achieve great oral health. But routine cleanings at our Denver dental office are most effective when you’re diligent about your own daily oral hygiene.
Some of the most serious oral health problems – like periodontal disease – can quickly take their toll when you’re not diligent about brushing and flossing. Cavities, gum disease, and staining are just some of the problems that can all be the result of poor oral hygiene. If you want to prevent these and keep your dental costs under control, there are really simple, basic steps you can take:
- Brush at least two times per day and floss daily. This helps prevent the buildup of harmful plaque and bacteria on your teeth and in your mouth.
- Choose a good toothbrush and replace it every two to three months. Changing your toothbrush keeps the bristles on your toothbrush firm and more effective at eliminating plaque. For the best results, invest in an electric toothbrush.
- Avoid using toothpicks or other harmful objects. If used to clean your teeth, these types of instruments can inflame, irritate, or cut your gums, which may lead to infection or gum disease.
- Have your teeth professionally cleaned at least twice a year. If you use tobacco, you should have your teeth cleaned every three months to reduce the appearance of stains.
If you’d like more assistance with the proper ways to brush your teeth, please call us to arrange your next dental cleaning.
Meet Our Doctor:
Darryl L. Hatchett, DDS
Dr. Darryl Hatchett grew up locally and attended Maiden High School. He received bachelor's degrees in both chemistry and biology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He then went on to receive his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from UNC School of Dentistry in 1998. Dr. Hatchett is a member of the North Carolina Dental Society and the American Dental Association.
“I became a dentist because I enjoy helping and interacting with others. Nothing makes me happier than seeing patients who are pleased with ...