Many people wonder if twice yearly dental appointments are really necessary. The short answer is – yes!

Good preventive care through cleanings and exams helps reduce your risk for certain illnesses and helps you maintain a level for of oral health that lets you look and feel your best.

Providing Your Medical History

Your routine visits are an excellent opportunity to tell us about any issues or discomfort you’ve been experiencing in your mouth. You’ll also want to give a detailed description of your medical history and come prepared with a list of any medications you take.

Knowing your medical history allows us to gain a better understanding of your overall health. Studies have shown there is a systemic link between the health of your teeth and gums and the prevalence of many serious health conditions. For example, periodontitis (advanced gum disease) is associated with heart disease, pancreatic cancer, diabetes, and many more. Also, many medications can cause dry mouth which increases the risk of cavities!

Dental Examinations

During your visit, we thoroughly examine your mouth and check for tooth decay, gum disease, TMJ disorders, and oral cancer. Our goal is to identify potential problems in their early stages while they are easily treatable. We perform thorough exams by taking digital x-rays /, taking gum measurements or probe depths, or recommending additional other diagnostic measures tailored to your specific needs.

Teeth Cleaning

During your visit, we will clean your teeth gently and professionally. Our dental team takes delligent care to remove hard-to-reach plaque and tartar. During this time, we may also give you tips on how to improve your at-home oral care routine. For example, we may demonstrate proper technique for brushing and flossing.

A teeth cleaning not only helps improve your oral health but also can improve the appearance of your teeth by removing stain and tartar! A good cleaning may potentially have a whitening effect on your smile. Your cleaning will leave your teeth looking and feeling great.

What is Periodontal Disease?

Periodontal disease, or gum disease, is caused by plaque and bacteria that builds up on the teeth and under the gumline. Sticky plaque contains bacteria and can eventually turn into hard tartar, which is nearly impossible to remove through regular brushing and flossing.

The tartar and bacteria irritate the gums and cause inflammation, which you may notice through your gums bleeding. Inflammation can lead to bone loss, destroying the structural support of the teeth.

Preventing Periodontal Disease

Ways to improve chances of not acquiring periodontal disease starts by brushing twice a day and flossing daily using proper technique will help remove plaque and bacteria on and between the teeth. Twice yearly professional dental cleanings can then help remove any tarter, hard plaque, which is not as easily removed even with diligent home care.

Other factors which contribute to and cause a predisposition for gum disease include:

• Smoking

• Diabetes and heart disease

• Xerostomia (dry mouth)

• Autoimmune diseases

• Genetics

Treating Periodontal Disease

How we address gum disease is tailored to your specific needs. As gum disease progresses, it can lead to loss of bone and loss of teeth, that is why it is important to treat gum disease even in the early stages. Untreated gum disease will not only progress in your mouth but also is correlated to many systemic diseases like heart disease.

Very mild gum disease, or gingivitis, can be treated through cleanings and an emphasis on proper home-care, twice daily brushing and flossing. Moderate-to-advanced gum disease may require a deep cleaning, known as scaling and root planing. During this treatment, tartar and bacteria is removed from below the gumline. We may numb you for this procedure to ensure your comfort.

If you are concerned that you might have periodontal disease, don’t hesitate. Call our office today so that we can start your treatment