Preventative Care
On your first visit, the dentist will perform a comprehensive dental exam to assess the current condition of your teeth and their supporting dental structures. You will then be asked to return for regular check-up exams to help implement and maintain your individualized dental health plan. Regular check-up exams cover three primary areas:
- Professional Dental Cleanings
- Screenings for General Dental Health
- Periodic X-Rays & Regular Diagnostic Evaluations of X-Rays
Professional Dental Cleanings:
Professional dental cleanings, known as dental prophylaxis, are performed by registered dental hygienists. During the cleaning, the hygienist will remove tartar and plaque, and then polish the teeth to remove any remaining stains. The proper removal of both tartar and plaque is essential to dental health and requires the specialized tools and training that dental hygienists provide.
Tartar, professionally known as calculus, is hardened plaque that sets firmly to tooth surfaces both above and below the gum line. Left in place, it causes serious damage to dental health. Plaque is a sticky film that forms on the teeth. Almost invisible to the naked eye, this growing colony of living bacteria, food debris, and saliva produces toxins that inflame the gums, initiating the beginning stages of periodontal disease. With both of these forming on your teeth all the time, professional dental cleanings are an essential element of dental disease prevention.
Screenings for General Dental Health:
Following your dental cleaning, the hygienist and the dentist will go through a series of general diagnostic screenings for a variety of common dental problems:
- Tooth Decay: All tooth surfaces are checked for weaknesses and decay with special dental instruments.
- Oral Cancer Screening: The face, neck, lips, tongue, throat, and gums will be checked for any signs of oral cancer.
- Gum Disease Evaluation: The gums and bones around the teeth will be checked for any signs of periodontal disease.
- Examination of Existing Restorations: Any fillings, crowns, or other existing restorations will be checked for problems or concerns, ensuring that they remain fully functional.
Periodic X-Rays & Regular Diagnostic Evaluations of X-Rays
Taking dental x-rays or radiographs is essential for diagnosing dental disease and concerns. These radiographs show teeth, bones and soft tissue to help dentists determine if there are caries or hidden dental problems such as bone loss that cannot be seen when looking into a mouth. Taking dental x-rays can also help catch dental disease early to prevent pain and expensive dental treatment.
Taking dental x-rays or radiographs is essential for diagnosing dental disease and concerns. These radiographs show teeth, bones and soft tissue to help dentists determine if there are caries or hidden dental problems such as bone loss that cannot be seen when looking into a mouth. Taking dental x-rays can also help catch dental disease early to prevent pain and expensive dental treatment.
X-rays are a critical part of dental care, and our low radiation digital x-rays make this part of your visit easier and safer than ever before. Our intraoral x-ray ensures stable, stern usability for exacting modern dental care. They provide efficient exposure to ensure successful imaging while minimizing patient radiation exposure.
What is Fluoride?
Fluoride is a mineral used to help prevent caries and help harden enamel. Fluoride is found naturally in water and in many foods, and it is also used to help with the remineralization process to prevent breakdown of the tooth and tooth decay. Today, studies have shown that drinking fluoridated water has decreased dental caries by two-thirds. Brushing with fluoridated toothpaste and using community fluoridated water is considered to be helpful is decreasing decay. In areas where the water supply is not fluoridated, fluoride tablets may be prescribed to children.
According to research conducted by the American Cancer Society, more than 30,000 cases of oral cancer are diagnosed each year. More than 7,000 of these cases result in the death of the patient. The good news is that oral cancer can easily be diagnosed with an annual oral cancer exam, and effectively treated when caught in its earliest stages.
Oral cancer is a pathologic process which begins with an asymptomatic stage during which the usual cancer signs may not be readily noticeable. This makes the oral cancer examinations performed by the dentist critically important. The most common type of oral cancer is the malignant squamous cell carcinoma. This oral cancer type usually originates in lip and mouth tissues.
There are many different places in the oral cavity and maxillofacial region in which oral cancers commonly occur, including:
- Lips
- Mouth
- Tongue
- Salivary Glands
- Oropharyngeal Region (throat)
- Gums
- Face
Reasons for oral cancer examinations
It is important to note that around 75 percent of oral cancers are linked with modifiable behaviors such as smoking, tobacco use and excessive alcohol consumption. Your dentist can provide literature and education on making lifestyle changes and smoking cessation.
When oral cancer is diagnosed in its earliest stages, treatment is generally very effective. Any noticeable abnormalities in the tongue, gums, mouth or surrounding area should be evaluated by a health professional as quickly as possible. During the oral cancer exam, the dentist and dental hygienist will be scrutinizing the maxillofacial and oral regions carefully for signs of pathologic changes.
Oral cancer exams, diagnosis and treatment
The oral cancer examination is a completely painless process. During the visual part of the examination, the dentist will look for abnormality and feel the face, glands and neck for unusual bumps. We will perform an oral cancer screening as part of every new patient and routine exam.
What are sealants?
Dental sealants are a form of preventative treatment that is used to help prevent or slow down the development of caries. The plastic coatings are placed on the chewing surface of the teeth, which are generally the molars or premolars. These teeth are the most susceptible to caries because due to the anatomy of the tooth, food particles get stuck in the fissures of the tooth. When food accumulates in these areas, plaque forms and attacks the enamel, causing a cavity to form. The plastic coating of the dental sealant helps prevent the food from being stuck in the fissures of the tooth.
When are sealants placed?
Dental sealants are first placed when the first permanent molar is erupted. The dental sealant will help protect the permanent teeth of children to help prevent the formation of cavities. These sealants can also be placed on adults that are at high risk for forming dental caries. Sealants last for many years, but new ones can be placed when the old sealants have worn down.
Many Americans knowing or unknowingly clench and/or grind their teeth at night. This excessive added force can really take a toll on the teeth. Loss of enamel can lead to sensitive teeth, decay, and unaesthetic short teeth. An occlusal guard is an excellent way to prevent many different dental problems. A night guard can protect the dental restorations that you’ve already had done and can allow them to last for many more years to come.