Hygiene

​Cleaning and Exam-Dental cleanings and exams are two of the most basic yet important preventive treatments we provide at our office. Each time you visit our dental practice for a checkup, we will provide a professional tooth cleaning and dental exam to help your smile stay healthy. During your cleaning and exam, our dental team will:

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• Clean your teeth by removing any plaque or tartar (also called dental calculus), which can lead to tooth decay and periodontal disease

• Floss and polish your teeth for a healthy, bright smile

• Examine your smile for signs of any damaging dental conditions or diseases

• Digital X-rays-Digital X-rays are one of the advanced diagnostic tools we use to provide you with the best possible care. Digital radiography has changed how we take dental X-rays by making the process faster, more comfortable, and more convenient than ever before. Digital X-rays use a digital sensor to take images of your teeth, unlike traditional X-rays that use film. Digital X-rays use significantly less radiation than conventional film X-rays and require the use of no chemicals for developing the images. Our dentist can then instantly view the high-quality images on monitors right in the treatment room to provide you with efficient, accurate diagnoses and care.

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Our team is able to use digital radiography to identify and diagnose several types of dental problems, such as:

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• Decay in between teeth

• Developmental abnormalities

• Improper tooth root positioning

• Cysts and abscesses

• Fractures in existing fillings

• Tumors

• Infection in the tooth nerves

• Bone loss

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Digital dental X-rays are used to plan many kinds of dental treatment, such as oral surgery procedures, root canal treatment, dental implants, orthodontics, and more.

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• Sealants- a thin, plastic coating painted on the chewing surfaces of the teeth to help prevent cavities from forming on permanent molars.

• Oral Cancer Screening-During your routine dental cleanings and exams at our office, our dentist and team will perform an oral cancer screening to check for the signs of oral cancer.

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The following are common symptoms of oral cancer:

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• A persistent sore throat or feeling that something is caught at the back of the throat

• Unexplained bleeding in the mouth

• A persistent or lasting sore on the face, neck, or mouth that bleeds easily and does not heal within two weeks

• Unexplained loss of feeling, pain, or numbness in the face, neck, or mouth

• Ear pain

• Lumps, bumps, or rough spots on the gums, lips, or other parts of the mouth

• Red, white, or speckled red-and-white patches in the mouth

• Difficulty chewing, speaking, or swallowing

• A change in the way your teeth or dentures fit together

• Fluoride Treatment- Benefits of fluoride treatment include strengthening the enamel on your teeth and making them less susceptible to bacteria and cavities.  While most insurances cover this procedure for children under the age of 18, we recommend it to any person that is susceptible to cavities.

• Oral Hygiene Instructions- While at your routine dental cleaning, our hygienist will go over instructions for your home care based on your personal needs.

• Scaling and Root Planing-Scaling and root planing are among the most common and effective treatments recommended for gum disease before it becomes severe. This deep-cleaning treatment includes two main steps:

• Scaling: In scaling, we remove plaque and tartar (dental calculus) from the tooth surface.

• Root Planing: This step involves cleaning the roots of the teeth, smoothing them to remove bacterial toxins.

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The goals of scaling and root planing are to remove bacteria, plaque, and tartar and to halt the progress of the disease. While most scaling and root planing treatments can be completed comfortably without an anesthetic, our dentist can offer several anesthetics and other comfort options to ensure you feel at ease during your treatment.

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• Debridement- a procedure used when a patient is in need of scaling and root planing but they aren’t quite prepared for the procedure that day.  The hygienist can remove thick or dense deposits that regular cleaning would not remove, allowing for better visibility to check for decay or infection.

• Periodontal Maintenance-Periodontal maintenance involves visiting our office on a regular basis, typically once every three months, for a professional cleaning. These treatments include thorough cleanings both above and below the gum line, removing plaque, tartar (hardened plaque, also called dental calculus), and bacteria to prevent the condition from worsening. Periodontal maintenance is recommended every three months because when biofilm is not removed, the periodontal bacteria begin to flourish within three to 12 weeks. By providing a cleaning at 12 weeks (three months), we are able to remove these bacteria and keep the condition under control.

• Localized Antibiotic Therapy- sometimes, even after doing everything the dentist and hygienist recommend a periodontal pocket doesn’t respond.  In this case, medication can be delivered directly into the pocket to suppress bacteria.

• Desensitizing Agent-sometimes, you need help with an overly sensitive nerve in your teeth when a cavity isn’t present.  We can apply a thin layer of fluoride gel or desensitizing agent to help strengthen the enamel, which will help reduce the sensitivity and possible pain.

• At Home Products- We suggest many different products to be used at home to maintain good oral hygiene, and we carry many of these products in the office, including but not limited to waterparks, floss threaders, electric toothbrushes, fluoride toothpaste, dry mouth products, and antimicrobial rinse.

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