Dental Checkup Cape Coral, FL
If you are having a dental checkup for the first time, or it has been a while since your last visit, you may wonder what a checkup involves. During this routine appointment, a dental professional checks your smile, teeth and gums for infection, decay and disease, such as cavities or periodontitis (gum disease).
You will also be given guidance on caring for your teeth at home, so your smile stays healthy between visits. Scheduling your checkup at our Elite Coral Dentistry office in Cape Coral is as easy as calling (239) 542-4626, and new patients are always welcome.
Visit Elite Coral Dentistry in Cape Coral
We're a family-owned dental practice that has served Cape Coral from the same address since 1985, offering Comprehensive Dental Care, Cosmetic Dentistry, Advanced Crown and Bridge Work, Dental Implants and Root Canal Treatments. You'll find us at 1105 SE 47th Terrace, with free on-site parking, accessible parking near the entrance and a step-free entrance. Call us, send a message to our text line or request an appointment online. New patients are always welcome.
- Business name: Elite Coral Dentistry
- Address: 1105 SE 47th Terrace, Cape Coral, FL 33904
- Phone: (239) 542-4626
- Text line (text messages only): (941) 479-2183
- Email: elitecoraldentistry@gmail.com
- Website: https://www.elitecoraldentistry.com/
- Hours:
- Monday: 8:00am – 5:00pm
- Tuesday: 8:00am – 5:00pm
- Wednesday: 8:00am – 5:00pm
- Thursday: 8:00am – 5:00pm
- Friday: Closed
- Saturday: Closed
- Sunday: Closed
Dental Cleaning
During a dental cleaning, the dental professional removes plaque, the buildup of bacteria that collects on the teeth. To do this, they gently scrape the teeth above and below the gum line with special tools, rinsing the teeth from time to time. They then floss between your teeth, which may feel a little uncomfortable if you don't floss regularly, though the discomfort fades once flossing becomes part of your daily routine.
At the end of the cleaning, the dental professional polishes your teeth to help protect them against plaque buildup, so they stay smoother and shinier for longer. The polish is applied with a spinning brush and a paste that looks like toothpaste but is slightly coarser, so it can clear away any residue that was missed. When the cleaning is done, you may be asked to rinse and gargle with mouthwash.
“During the dental cleaning, the dental professional will remove the plaque — a buildup of bacteria that deposits onto the teeth.”
Dental Examination
The dentist will talk with you about your dental history, including any medications, illnesses or allergies, and any concerns or anxieties you have. Always be honest with our dental team so they can give you the best care possible, and if you feel nervous, the team will go at a pace that suits you.
The dental professional then checks your teeth and mouth with a small mirror, looking for swelling, sores, cuts or lesions, gum recession and tooth decay. One of the most important things they look for is dental pockets, spaces between the gums and teeth that can indicate gum disease, and they may recommend home care and monitoring to protect your smile.
The exam also includes an oral cancer screening, which allows dentists to detect early-stage cancer or precancerous lesions before symptoms become severe. Before any treatment is recommended, the dentist explains what they have found and talks you through your options.
“Always be honest with our dental team so they can provide the best care possible.”
Dental X-rays
New patients, and those who haven't had X-rays for a while, will be asked to have dental X-rays taken at their checkup. X-rays are important because they let the dentist check the roots beneath the gum line, which can't otherwise be seen. You simply bite down on a small piece of plastic placed between your teeth while a machine is positioned near your cheek to take the image, and the dentist then reviews it for any concerns.
“These X-rays are important for your dental team to be able to check the roots beneath your gum line, which could otherwise not be seen during a routine checkup.”
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The Importance of Regular Dental Care
Our dental team recommends that all patients return for dental checkups at least once every six months. Regular checkups and cleanings let the team keep an eye on your smile for any signs of concern, while waiting too long gives plaque more time to build up, which can lead to cavities, tooth decay, receding gums and more. At each visit, you will also learn what you can do to prevent these problems.
Keeping your oral health on track starts at home. To help prevent problems between checkups, our dental team may recommend:
- Brushing your teeth at least twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste
- Flossing daily
- Using a mouthwash
- Avoiding smoking and other habits that harm oral health
Children are seen for routine checkups and cleanings too, so the whole family can keep to the same schedule at the same office.
“To prevent oral health issues between dental checkups, our dental team may make several recommendations for at-home oral care.”
What happens at a dental checkup and cleaning in Cape Coral?
A dental checkup combines an examination and a professional cleaning. The dentist reviews your health history, checks your teeth, gums and mouth, and carries out an oral cancer screening, taking X-rays where they are needed. For new patients, the first exam takes around one hour, and the cleaning usually takes place at a following visit.
Can I book an early-morning dental cleaning in Cape Coral before work?
Yes. The office opens at 8:00am, Monday through Thursday, so you can have your checkup or cleaning early and still get to work. Call (239) 542-4626, send a message to our text line at (941) 479-2183 or request an appointment online, and the team will help you find a time that fits your day.
How do I get started with a new dentist in Cape Coral after moving here?
Call or text the office to book a first exam, and bring a list of your medications and any dental records or X-rays you have from your previous dentist. At your first visit, you will be greeted in the lobby and given new-patient paperwork and a health questionnaire. Dr. Joseph Mejia speaks English and Spanish, and Endodontist Dr. Meghann Lussier speaks English, French, Spanish and Cantonese.
Questions Answered on This Page
Q. What is involved in the dental cleaning portion of a checkup?
Q. What does the dentist look for in a dental examination?
Q. How often should someone have a dental checkup?
Q. What happens at a dental checkup and cleaning in Cape Coral?
Q. Can I book an early-morning dental cleaning in Cape Coral before work?
Q. How do I get started with a new dentist in Cape Coral after moving here?
People Also Ask
Q. How do lifestyle choices affect dental health?
Q. Why is good oral hygiene important?
Q. What should be included in an at home oral health routine?
Expert Advice on Dental Checkups and Cleanings in Cape Coral
Here is the advice we give patients to get the most from every checkup.
Common Mistakes That Undermine a Cleaning
- Letting checkups lapse. The longer the gap between visits, the more time plaque has to harden into tartar, which only professional tools can remove. We recommend coming in at least every six months.
- Stopping flossing when your gums bleed. Bleeding gums are often a sign of early gum inflammation. Gentle, daily flossing usually helps them settle, so tell us if the bleeding continues.
- Saving questions for next time. If something feels different, such as a sensitive tooth, a sore spot or a change in your bite, mention it at your visit. Small problems are easier to deal with early.
- Skipping X-rays when they are due. X-rays show what can’t be seen in the mirror, including the roots and the bone around them.
What To Look For When We Show You Your X-rays
- Shadows between teeth. Darker areas between teeth can be early signs of decay that aren’t visible yet.
- The bone level around your teeth. Changes in the bone can point to gum disease, even before your gums feel sore.
- Old fillings and crowns. We check their edges for gaps where decay could start.
- The roots and the tissue around them. Problems at the root tip can show up on an X-ray before they cause pain.
- Questions worth asking. Ask what each finding means, whether it needs treatment now or can be watched, and what your options are. We’ll talk you through them before recommending anything.
General and Family Dentistry
Keep fillings, extractions and routine care for the whole family at one family-owned office that has served Cape Coral since 1985.
Root Canal Treatment
If an X-ray shows a problem inside a tooth, root canals are done in-house by Endodontist Dr. Meghann Lussier.
Dental Implants
Replace a missing tooth with a dental implant, placed and restored in-house and looked after at your regular checkups.
Teeth Whitening
After a cleaning, brighten the natural shade of teeth that have yellowed or dulled over time with professional take-home trays.
Fitting Checkups Around a Cape Coral Working Day
Many people who live in Cape Coral work elsewhere in Lee County, often in healthcare, education, retail and professional services, so the working day starts early and leaves little room for appointments. When a checkup is hard to fit in, it is easy to let it slip for months, and that is when small problems have time to grow.
That's why the office opens at 8:00am, Monday through Thursday. An early checkup or cleaning lets you look after your teeth and still start your working day on time, and because each visit is scheduled in advance, you know how long to set aside.
If it has been a while since your last checkup, you will be welcomed without judgment, your teeth will be checked and cleaned, and any findings will be explained before anything else is recommended. New patients are always welcome.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What happens during a dental cleaning?
A. During a dental cleaning, a dental professional uses specialized tools to clean your teeth. These include a small hook-shaped scaler that removes buildup from the tooth surface, and an electric brush with a slightly coarse paste that cleans and polishes the teeth. Together with a rinse of mouthwash, the cleaning removes buildup and helps protect your teeth from bacteria.
Q. What is a dental exam?
A. A dental exam is very similar to a checkup: a dental professional checks your teeth for any signs of concern. The difference is that an exam also covers other areas that can be affected by oral health, such as the head and neck. This exam is usually recommended for new patients, and for them, the cleaning usually takes place at a following visit.
Q. What is a dental X-ray?
A. A dental X-ray works like other X-rays but focuses on the mouth. It shows the roots and areas beneath the gum line that the dental professional otherwise can't see, which makes it important for checking for signs of disease or other concerns around the roots of the teeth.
Q. What happens if someone waits too long for a dental checkup?
A. Bacteria naturally attach to the surface of your teeth as you eat. Brushing and flossing at home remove much of it, but it's almost impossible to remove all of it without professional tools. Waiting too long between checkups gives the bacteria time to form plaque and tartar, which can lead to tooth decay or gum disease over time.
Q. What at-home care should be done between dental checkups?
A. We recommend brushing twice a day and flossing at least once a day. Dental professionals also suggest using a mouthwash that contains fluoride, and avoiding smoking, sugary foods and other habits known to harm oral health.
Q. Will the dentist explain my options before recommending treatment?
A. Yes. If your checkup shows that you need treatment, the dentist explains what they found, talks you through your options and answers your questions before anything is recommended. The cost of any treatment is explained after your consultation, and the office accepts most PPO dental and PPO Medicare dental plans, so call to check your coverage.
Quality Dental Services Can Transform Your Smile
By visiting us as soon as possible, our team can help get you the professional treatment you need. Instead of waiting around and allowing the symptoms to get worse, we can provide you with treatment options. If it's been a while since your last checkup, now is a good time to book, and new patients are always welcome.
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Dental Terminology
Call Us Today
Keeping up with dental checkups is how you can make sure your smile stays healthy and free of decay or disease, and our dental team is here to help. To schedule a dental checkup or for help with your dental questions, call our team at (239) 542-4626, send a message to our text line at (941) 479-2183, or request an appointment online.
Led by Dr. Joseph Mejia, who has owned the practice since July 2022, our family-owned practice has been at the same address since 1985 and sees patients from Cape Coral, Fort Myers, North Fort Myers, Fort Myers Beach and Pine Island. The office is open Monday through Thursday, 8:00am to 5:00pm.
Helpful Related Links
- American Dental Association (ADA). Glossary of Dental Clinical Terms. 2024
- American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry® (AACD). Home Page. 2024
- WebMD. WebMD’s Oral Care Guide. 2024
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