Pryor Dental

The Dental Practice of Dr. Peter B. Pryor Jr. DMD

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(336) 765-7477

General, Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry

3455 Healy Dr, Winston-Salem, NC 27103-1442

Pryor Dental > Services > Teeth Cleanings & Exams

Our preventive treatments will help you avoid the inconvenience and discomfort of dental problems.

Dental Cleanings & Exams in Winston-Salem

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Dental Cleanings & Exams in Winston Salem

We all know that it’s important to take care of our teeth, but sometimes our schedules and competing priorities make it hard to stay consistent with our preventive dental exams. The truth is that there are no shortcuts in preventive dental care, which means that you need to actively protect your smile if you want it to last.

Preventing Dental Problems

It’s not always possible to prevent every single dental problem, but your odds of prevention will be greater, and your mouth will be healthier when you stay current on your dental exams.

We believe in educating our patients about the importance of prevention because we would rather see you for an exam now than have to remove an infected tooth down the road. When you have routine checkups in Winston-Salem, we can frequently screen you for common dental conditions, such as periodontal disease and tooth decay.

Your Role in a Healthy Smile

Your long-term dental health is a collaboration between you and our dental team. We are in this together! Below, we explore your role in prevention.

Brush Regularly

Of course, brushing after every meal is ideal, but if that's not feasible, shoot for twice daily. Be sure to use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste, and clean all tooth surfaces.

Floss Regularly

As with brushing, it's always best to floss after every meal. However, if you get busy, try to do it at least once or twice daily. Always use fresh sections of dental floss as you move across your smile.

Schedule Visits

Remember to schedule twice-yearly dental checkups and teeth cleanings with us. Checkups and cleanings catch issues early and help negate the need for costly and ongoing treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best ways to practice good hygiene at home?

If you want a healthy smile, conscientious brushing and flossing are non-negotiable. Good oral hygiene combined with semi-annual preventive cleanings and exams in Winston-Salem, NC is the best (and only) way you can enjoy a problem-free smile.

When thinking about your oral hygiene, it’s good to establish a routine. Performing the same actions at the same time every day will gradually get you into the groove so brushing and flossing become second nature.

Despite your best intentions, it’s easy to get sloppy with your brushing and flossing habits. The best way to get back on track is by talking to one of our hygienists about proper techniques. If you are going to make the effort, you should be sure you are getting the most out of it.

Proper At-Home Oral Hygiene Habits

You should plan to brush twice a day and floss once, and the whole process shouldn’t take more than five minutes. Start a timer or put on one of your favorite songs so you can be sure you are brushing long enough.

Flossing is critical, but if you aren’t doing it properly, you may be doing more harm than good. Form the floss into a “C” shape and clean one side of a tooth then move to the other side. Change the floss for each tooth because reusing it can actually spread plaque to other teeth.

Dental Cleanings in Winston-Salem

At our Winston-Salem dental practice, we are always more than happy to take time to explain proper hygiene techniques. If you need a refresher, please make an appointment and we will be happy to get you back on track!

What happens if I skip teeth cleanings?

Your Winston-Salem dentist and the American Dental Association place particular emphasis on professional teeth cleanings. It really is your best defense against preventable conditions.

Unfortunately, people do skip their teeth cleanings, believing that brushing and flossing alone will keep their smiles healthy for life.

Importance of Regular Dental Cleanings

When you skip teeth cleanings, you allow bacteria, tartar, and plaque to collect on your teeth. And your toothbrush and dental floss alone cannot get rid of it all. So over time, you develop cavities and—in some cases—gum disease.

Gum disease is a severe oral health complication that can lead to tooth loss and systematic health concerns involving the heart and lungs. It has even been linked to certain forms of dementia and low birth weight in babies.

Skipping teeth cleanings not only puts you at risk for preventable conditions, but it can also mean more time in the dental chair later and more money spent on avoidable conditions. For example, gum disease therapy is ongoing. Likewise, a root canal treatment means more than one dental visit.

Schedule Your Teeth Cleaning in Winston-Salem Today

If it’s time for your next teeth cleaning, give us a call.

We see patients everywhere, including those in Winston-Salem, Clemmens, Lewisville, and Muddy Creek, NC. And our dentist works with CareCredit.

Are dental exams covered by insurance?

Your dental insurance usually covers six-month dental exams, teeth cleanings, and general prevention and maintenance. However, a team member can review your policy to ensure coverage and help you maximize your benefits. In addition, we want to help ensure you’re reimbursed for dental treatments.

If you don’t have dental insurance, your Winston-Salem dentist offers an exclusive membership plan for prevention. For a low monthly subscription fee, you can rest easy knowing you have coverage. And preventive dentistry is the hallmark of a healthy smile. Members also receive discounts on select restorations like crowns and fillings. Talk to a team member about limits and exclusions.

Additionally, our dental team is happy to work with CareCredit financing. This medical and dental credit card helps families budget care through low- and no-interest financing programs. The application is easy, and decisions are prompt. A staff member can walk you through the process.

Dental Exams in Winston-Salem, NC

Dental exams and teeth cleanings help prevent oral health issues like cavities, gum disease, and oral infections. However, dental care should accompany healthy habits like brushing and flossing.

To learn more about our dental treatments, services, and membership plan, or to schedule an appointment with our dentist, contact a dental team member today.

Are dental cleanings painful?

Many people avoid trips to the dentist; some suffer from dental anxiety because of bad experiences in the past. Others may be afraid that their dental visit will be painful. Whatever the reason, visiting your Winston-Salem dentist twice a year for a dental exam and cleaning is essential to your oral health. So, will your dental cleaning be painful? Keep reading to find out more.

Do Teeth Cleanings Hurt?

You know it’s important to get your teeth professionally cleaned to maintain your oral health, but if you’re curious whether it will be painful, the short answer is no. It should not hurt to get your teeth cleaned.

However, if you avoid regularly scheduled teeth cleanings, you may suffer from increased sensitivity because of gum inflammation or tooth decay.

If it has been some time since your last dental cleaning, you can offset any potential discomfort by taking over-the-counter medications before your dental visit.

Are You Looking for a Dentist in Winston-Salem, NC?

If you need dental cleanings in Winston-Salem, look no further than Pryor Dental. Our caring and compassionate dental team can help you with everything from dental exams and cleanings to cosmetic and emergency dentistry. Please get in touch with our dental office at (336) 765-7477 for more information or to schedule an appointment.

Can a dental cleaning detect dental issues other than cavities and gum disease?

When you visit your Winston-Salem dentist for a routine dental cleaning, you probably assume they will look for signs of cavities and gum disease. However, have you ever wondered if visiting your dentist for a dental cleaning twice a year can also detect other dental issues?

What Dental Issues Can a Dental Cleaning Detect?

Other than tooth decay and signs of gum disease, a dental cleaning is essential because it can potentially detect any of the following dental issues:

Bruxism and TMJ – Your dentist will check your jaw for problems with the temporomandibular joint.

Oral cancer – Your dentist will visually examine your mouth to check for white or red spots or any other abnormalities that could be cancerous.

Misaligned bite – Your dentist will check your bite to ensure it isn’t causing issues with your speech or your ability to chew.

Face or neck abnormalities – Your dentist will examine your face, neck, and the inside and the outside of your mouth for any swollen lymph nodes or a swollen thyroid. They may refer you to an expert in this area if they notice anything unusual.

Do You and Your Family Need Dental Cleanings in Winston-Salem?

If you need dental cleanings or dental exams in Winston-Salem, call Pryor Dental, to schedule an appointment. You can reach our dental office at (336) 765-7477.

Comprehensive Dental Exams

If you are a new patient, our dentist will start by meeting with you to discuss your concerns and how you would like us to help. This is an excellent time to share any goals or hopes for your smile so that our dentist can explain how preventive dentistry fits in with those goals.

Next, Dr. Pryor will perform a dental exam to check for visible problems, screen you for oral cancer, and take any necessary dental x-rays.

Professional Teeth Cleanings

Dental plaque and tartar often build up in the nooks and crannies around teeth. These places are hard to reach with a standard toothbrush, where our professional dental instruments come in. We can clean areas in your mouth that are nearly impossible to reach with at-home care.

During your dental appointment, one of our trained dental hygienists will carefully check for signs or symptoms of periodontal disease, use dental imaging if needed, and make appropriate recommendations.

The odds of keeping your smile healthy when you visit us twice a year as recommended are so much greater than your odds of keeping your smile healthy when you have periodic checkups.

Meet Our Doctor:

Dr. Peter B. Pryor Jr.

Dr. Peter Pryor Jr. was born and raised on a small farm outside Lexington, Kentucky. He completed his undergraduate degree in Anthropology and Psychology at Wake Forest University. Following his graduation, he briefly resided on St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands and worked as a dental assistant. This life experience largely contributed to Dr. Pryor's decision to pursue a career in dental medicine. Dr. Pryor graduated from The University of Louisville School of Dentistry, in 2015, and served as an extern within the Seneca Nation Health System, in Irving, New York, prior to this graduation. He subsequently completed a two year ...

Protecting Your Oral Health at Home

dental x-rays being reviewed with dentist

At Pryor Dental, when we talk about prevention, we aren’t referring to some complicated or time-consuming system you must follow.

There are only three primary components to achieving a healthy smile:

Proper oral hygiene
Routine preventive dental exams and cleanings
A healthy, nutritious diet

The dental hygiene habits you practice while away from our dental office can mean the difference between a healthy smile and a lifetime of complicated problems.

Dental Exams and Cleanings in the Winston-Salem Area

At Pryor Dental, we are committed to helping you enjoy optimal oral health so you can focus on the things in life that really matter. We believe that high-quality dental care should be affordable and accessible to our patients, which is why we accept CareCredit and have an in-house insurance plan.

Whether you are from Winston Salem, Clemmens, Lewisville, or Muddy Creek, we invite you to contact our Winston-Salem dental office to schedule your next preventive checkup.

We look forward to helping you achieve outstanding oral health!

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