Preventive Hygiene
Oral Examinations
Ideally a few times a year, you’ll attend a dental appointment so your dentist can take the opportunity to identify any emerging oral health issues and develop a plan to treat them accordingly.
During your exam, your dentist will inspect the health of your teeth, gums, bite and jaw. Exams also include dental x-rays, an oral cancer screening and other diagnostic procedures that may be required.
Any part of the mouth or surrounding tissues can be impacted by oral cancer. At your appointment, your dentist will examine your face, lips, tongue, neck, tissues, gums, and throat for any signs of oral cancer that may be difficult to detect with the naked eye.
Dental lasers are often used in dentistry in a variety of dental procedures. They emit a single wavelength of light energy to cut hard and soft tissues, vaporize decayed tissue and harden restorations quickly.
Dental lasers play an integral role in preventive care, and allow our dentists to perform procedures with less pain and fewer medical interventions.
Oral Health Care at Home
Be sure to brush your teeth twice each day for two minutes at a time to keep your smile healthy between dental appointments. Don’t forget to floss at least once a day.
Hygiene Cleaning
Your dental hygienist will complete a deep cleaning of your teeth and gums to prevent and treat disease.
Before or after your exam, they will use a scaler to remove any plaque buildup and tartar. Next, they will use a polisher topped with coarse toothpaste to remove any leftover stains or plaque, followed by a thorough flossing of your teeth and gums.
Fluoride Treatment
If your dentist finds that you or your child are at high risk of tooth decay, he or she may also recommend a fluoride treatment. Fluoride is a natural mineral that can help to prevent or reverse tooth decay by helping to rebuild the minerals in your tooth enamel.
