Examinations and Cleanings

Do you know who provides most of the dental care you will receive in your lifetime? Here’s a hint: You see that person’s face in the mirror every morning.

Your brushing and flossing routine is the most important part of your preventive dental care program. Good brushing and flossing habits can prevent many of the most common dental problems that we see in our office, including cavities, decay, and gum disease.

While brushing and flossing are crucial for good dental health, there is another necessary step – regular examinations and professional cleanings. At our office, our goal is to prevent as many dental problems as possible and to help you avoid complex and invasive treatments.

The Power of Regular Examinations

We recommend that most of our patients visit our Sugar Land dental office every six months for an examination and cleaning. Your examination is important for two reasons. It allows us to catch any developing problems early on and decide whether it’s more appropriate to monitor them or treat them early on. Examinations are also a good time for us to discuss your dental health with you and provide you with tips so you can continue to improve your dental care routine and plan for your future care. The opportunity to visit with our fantastic patients is an added bonus!

Most of the time, your examination will include a thorough visual check of your teeth and gums. Dr. Grizzle is looking for any signs of gum disease as well as examining your soft tissues for signs that could indicate oral cancer. If you’ve opted for an advanced oral cancer screening using ViziLite Plus, this would take place now, as well. We may also use the DIAGNOdent system to check for early signs of cavities.

Your examination may include dental x-rays. Dental x-rays are one of our most effective diagnostic tools. They help us to see beneath your gums and deep within your teeth to monitor a condition or catch a problem early when conservative treatment is still possible.

Your Professional Cleaning

Patients sometimes ask why a professional cleaning is necessary when they’ve been doing such a great job brushing and flossing their teeth at home. Even with the most committed homecare routine, your toothbrush and floss are not going to catch every last bit of plaque. Over time, this plaque hardens into tartar. Once this happens, it’s impossible to remove with a toothbrush or dental floss. If the tartar is allowed to build up on your teeth or beneath your gumline, the result is cavities and gum disease.

Is it time for an examination and cleaning? Call us today to schedule an appointment with Sugar Land dentist Dr. Reagan Grizzle. If it’s been a little while, just let us know, and we will work with you to get your teeth in great shape!

Frequently Asked Questions

How often do I need cleanings?

Your dental care is as personal and individualized as your medical care. Each person has unique needs and challenges when it comes to dental health. At our Sugar Land dental office, Dr. Reagan Grizzle tailors your dental care to your specific needs.

Our dental cleanings are not one size fits all. We recommend more extensive cleanings for people who suffer from periodontal (gum) disease or are more prone to getting decay. We may also recommend other preventative treatments like fluoride.

The American Dental Association recommends that everyone have a cleaning (and examination) every six months. For most of our patients, we feel that this recommendation is appropriate. However, if you have a history of decay or gum disease, we may recommend more frequent cleanings and exams to keep you healthy.

Even though most insurance companies only cover two exams and cleanings each year, we base our recommendations on what our patients need. So, if Dr. Grizzle or our hygienist recommend more frequent cleanings, it is because we want to do what it takes to keep you healthy. In most cases, the cost of additional cleanings and exams is minimal compared to some of the more complex treatments we might be able to avoid like fillings and periodontal treatment.

Why do I need more frequent cleanings than every six months?

Occasionally, if you have symptoms of periodontal (gum) disease, it may be necessary for you to have more frequent cleanings to help you stay healthy. Periodontal disease is a serious infection in your gums and when left untreated can create systemic complications including heart conditions, diabetes, and even cancer.

When we recommend more frequent cleanings, it is to help your gums heal properly. Once you have had gum disease, you are more susceptible to a reoccurrence. While six months is enough for most people, some patients may need more frequent visits to maintain their health.

Cleanings for people with gum disease are often more thorough and gently sterilize your teeth above and below the gum line, removing the active infection so your gums have an opportunity to heal. We take measurements of our patients’ gums in order to identify and treat any infections. Other signs of periodontal disease include bleeding or tender gums.

Dr. Reagan Grizzle takes your health and wellness seriously. He knows the importance of healthy teeth and gums during all phases of your life. The treatment plan he recommends takes into account your needs and unique dental needs. We will monitor your progress carefully over time. Rest assured you are in good hands at our office.

What happens at my dental cleaning appointment?

At each dental cleaning appointment, our hygienist makes a thorough inspection of your teeth, looking for any areas of concern. If our hygienist notices something that requires Dr. Grizzle’s attention, she will let him know right away because prevention and early treatment are both important.

In addition to a visual examination, our skilled hygienist performs an oral cancer screening. That means we look over all of the soft tissue inside your mouth and including your lips, under your tongue, and the back of your throat looking for any suspicious lesions. While oral cancer is not a common form of cancer, we examine all of our patients since we are the ones who see you every six months and would notice changes.

We may also perform a periodontal evaluation, a measurement of your gums, to determine if your gums are healthy.

Last but not least, our hygienist performs a professional teeth cleaning for you making sure to remove any tartar and plaque from your teeth. No matter how diligent your dental care is at home, your toothbrush and floss can simply not reach in every area of your mouth. Professional dental cleanings utilize special instruments to remove plaque and bacteria above and below your gum line. Then, we apply a special paste with a polisher to bring out the luster in your teeth.

Why do I need a dental exam when everything is fine?

Some of our patients wonder why dental exams are important at all, especially if nothing is going on. It may seem like Dr. Grizzle just looks inside your mouth and makes a determination that all is well, but what you may not realize is that he employs his expert diagnostic skills each time he looks in your mouth.

Dr. Reagan Grizzle does a visual assessment of your teeth noting any visible cracks or abnormal wear patterns that might indicate clenching, grinding, or problems with your bite. He looks for other problems like recession, broken cusps or visible decay.

If he sees something that concerns him, he will let you know right away. With many conditions, time is important. Sometimes when problems go untreated, they become bigger more costly dental issues.

At our Sugar Land dental office, we try to avoid dental problems with routine preventative treatments such as exams and cleanings. If a condition does arise, we make it a priority to treat it quickly and effectively while it is small. Any type of diagnosis requires Dr. Grizzle to confirm it. Dr. Grizzle is the one who is qualified to read and diagnose from x-rays and to make a treatment recommendation when it comes to your teeth. All of our preventative exams are to keep you in tiptop dental shape.

What does it mean when my gums bleed?

If your gums bleed when you brush or floss your teeth, it’s time to schedule a dental exam so we can find out what’s causing the bleeding. Contrary to popular belief, it is not normal for your gums to bleed under any circumstances. Sometime, if the bleeding is in one area, it may mean that you have something lodged under your gums. We can help you remove it so that your gums can heal.

More often than not, patients come to us with general bleeding in their gums and that is an indication of a serious underlying condition called periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is an infection that has many negative effects on your body. Scientists discovered a link between periodontal disease and early death due to heart attacks and strokes.

The only way to accurately determine the cause of your bleeding is to do an exam. First, Dr. Grizzle will visually inspect the affected area. Next, he may take measurements of your gums to determine the presence and severity of the infection. Then, he may request an x-ray to determine what is happening inside the tooth and below your gum line.

One he makes a diagnosis, he can recommend treatment to help get you back on track to excellent health and wellness.

Meet Our Doctor:

Dr. Reagan Grizzle DDS

After graduating magna cum laude from the University of Houston with a Bachelors of Science in Biology, Dr. Reagan Grizzle went on to attend the University of Texas Dental School and graduated with honors in 1980.

Following graduation, Dr. Grizzle taught as a part-time assistant professor at his alma mater for five years. During this time, he also started his Sugar Land dental practice, opening his doors for the first time in 1982. He is a member of the American Dental Association and the Texas ...