Water Safety in the Dental Office
Have you ever wondered about the quality of the water used during your dental visits? During routine dental procedures, water passes through long narrow tubes…
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General Dentistry
Although most people visit the dentist twice yearly, there may be some who wonder if this is necessary when everything seems okay. Well the old saying “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” is the reason why routine dental examinations, radiographs and cleanings are recommended. It is better to prevent dental problems and is easier to treat issues while they are small.
Professional cleanings are recommended twice yearly. The benefits of a professional cleaning include:
- The removal of plaque and tartar that you may not be able to feel or reach on your own
- An evaluation of your gum health and any changes in your gums such as redness or bleeding or swelling
- Removal of surface stains and polishing of the teeth
- Tips on proper techniques for brushing and flossing
- Recommendations on products for home care
- Discussion on the correlation between certain medications
The benefits of dental exams and X Rays are:
- Evaluation for tooth decay, tooth wear, tooth mobility, tooth abscesses, and dental cysts
- Oral cancer screening of the mouth and neck
- Evaluation of loss of baby teeth and eruption of adult teeth
- Evaluation of impacted teeth
- Evaluation of changes in saliva production and suggestions for products to manage dry mouth
Although twice yearly exams and cleanings are recommended for children and adults, even patients with a full set of dentures should be examined regularly. Denture wearers, just like all other patients, need an oral cancer evaluation and they also need to have their gum tissue and bone checked periodically.
In the past few years, there has been more discussion about the Mind-Body Connection. It is understood that periodontal disease (also known as gum disease) can sometimes be linked to heart disease and stroke especially if the gum disease and gum inflammation are not well controlled. Those who smoke and have diabetes are more likely to develop periodontal disease.
