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Cleanings and Examinations

Many people wonder why semi-annual dental appointments are necessary if they are not experiencing any oral health issues.

The answer is that good preventive care can reduce your risk for certain illnesses and help you achieve and maintain excellent oral health that helps you look and feel your best.

Providing Your Medical History

Your routine visits are an excellent opportunity to talk to your dentist about any issues or discomfort you’ve been experiencing. Please be prepared to provide your medical history and come prepared with a list of any medications you take.

Knowing your medical history gives your dentist a more complete picture of your overall health. It has been established that what happens in the mouth doesn't stay in the mouth. Scientists have shown a systemic link exists between your oral health and the prevalence of many serious general health concerns. For example, periodontitis (advanced gum disease) is associated with heart disease, pancreatic cancer, diabetes, and low birth weight in babies born to mothers with the disease.

Dental Exams

Symptoms of some dental conditions may be so subtle that only a dentist can identify them.

During your visit, we thoroughly examine your mouth and check for signs of tooth decay. Our dentist also evaluates risk factors associated with bone loss and periodontal disease illnesses. This way, we can identify potential problems in their early stages while easily treatable.

Your dentist will also check your dental bite and may take x-rays or other diagnostic measures.

Teeth Cleaning

We clean your teeth gently and meticulously during your visit to remove plaque in hard-to-reach locations like between teeth. At this time, your hygienist will also provide helpful tips for getting the most out of your brushing and flossing routine at home.

A thorough dental cleaning helps you maintain excellent oral health and lifts surface stains to brighten your smile and make your teeth look and feel great!

Schedule an Appointment Today!

Don’t miss your semi-annual visit! Contact our dental office today to schedule an appointment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the symptoms of oral cancer?

Since most of us don’t routinely analyze the insides of our mouths, you may wonder how you can detect the signs of oral cancer. In addition to oral cancer screenings with your oral surgery specialist, call the doctor’s office if you notice any of these symptoms:

Bleeding in your mouth that doesn’t stop or a sore that doesn’t heal
A lump or thickening in the lining of the mouth
Chronic hoarseness or sore throat
Red or white patches on the soft tissues in the mouth
Difficulty swallowing or chewing

Additional symptoms that may signal a problem include fatigue, unexplained weight loss, loose teeth, chronic bad breath, and ear and/or jaw pain. Check your tongue, lips, gums, cheeks, teeth, face, and neck for changes, and call your oral surgery specialist if you have any concerns.

Factors that increase oral cancer risk:

Tobacco use
Heavy alcohol use
Human papillomavirus (HPV)
Excessive sun exposure
Fair skin
Poor oral hygiene
Poor nutrition
Gender (men are more prone to oral cancer than women)

Prevention is always the best way to avoid oral cancer. Discontinuing tobacco use may be the single most effective way to lower your risk, even if you’ve been using it for years.

How often should I brush my teeth?

We recommend that you brush your teeth at least twice daily using good technique. Our skilled dental hygienists will be happy to review your technique with you and give you pointers to help you improve to get the most out of your home-care routine.

Do you take x-rays and do fluoride treatments on children?

We will determine the type of preventive care necessary for your child based on recommendations from the American Dental Association and your child’s unique needs. If you have concerns about certain types of treatment, call our office; we will be happy to discuss those with you.

I brush and floss every day. Why do I need a cleaning?

Even with excellent hygiene habits, it's easy to miss small areas of your teeth. Over time, the missed plaque will harden into tartar, which can only be removed with a dental hygienist's tools. When tartar accumulates beneath the gum line, the end result is red, puffy, inflamed gums – the beginnings of periodontal disease.

What happens during an examination?

Examinations are an important opportunity for us to check in with you, see how you are doing, and make sure that your teeth are healthy. We want to catch problems when they are small and can be treated easily. This allows for more comfortable and less costly dentistry for you. Unfortunately, by the time you are in pain, simple measures are no longer effective. Regular examinations allow us to nip this situation in the bud and keep your teeth healthy and beautiful.