Dental Cleanings & Periodontal Care
We believe prevention is the best policy! Typical healthy children and adults should be seen at least twice a year for preventative appointments. At these appointments we will clean and polish the teeth, take necessary checkup x-rays, and perform thorough head and neck exams including an oral cancer screening. Our hygienists, Denise and Laura, take this time to discuss home care techniques and tools that will help you maintain a healthy smile between visits!
Some patients may develop periodontal disease, where there is destruction of the hard and soft tissues surrounding the teeth. This is very common, as just under half of all Americans over the age of 30 have some form of periodontal disease. We CAN treat periodontal disease and then help you maintain the progress you have made.
These are services we provide:
Prophylaxis and periodontal maintenance: Preventative cleaning appointments recommended every 6 months. Patients with periodontal disease should typically be seen every 3 or 4 months.
Scaling and root planing: Treatment for periodontal disease. This includes removing hardened deposits (tartar/calculus), bacteria and surrounding toxins from all surfaces of the tooth including root surfaces and gum pockets. Often we will use a laser to disinfect the gum tissue that improves the long term results. Some patients may need retreatment over time as periodontal disease is ongoing.
Exams: Checking the hard and soft tissues of the mouth and surrounding area, including Oral Cancer Screenings. We use the most up to date screening tools including an intraoral camera which allows us to take pictures of areas of concerns so you can view what we are seeing.
Radiographs: X-rays are a necessary and safe way to screen for dental diseases including decay and periodontal disease. Our office uses exclusively digital radiographs to lower the radiation dose and provide improved quality images over traditional film radiographs.
Oral Hygiene Instruction: We may have suggestions to help you reach difficult areas, or teach you how to use a new tool to clean your teeth. Our hygienists, Denise and Laura, love to provide you with the knowledge to keep your mouth healthy! This includes discussing how diet can play a role in tooth decay. Please never hesitate to ask questions, we are here to help.
Fluoride: Fluoride is a safe way to help prevent cavities. We recommend all children receive fluoride treatments typically twice a year as they are at higher risk for decay and it helps mineralize new adult teeth that are erupting. We will also discuss fluoride with adult patients who are at high risk for decay or have sensitive teeth.