Hygiene & Prevention

Professional Examinations

We can help diagnose any dental issues before they become problematic with dental exams. 

At our practice, routine dental examinations typically include:

• Examination of teeth, gums and mouth 
• Digital x-rays
• Oral cancer screening

Professional Cleanings

Professional dental cleanings help prevent tooth decay and gum disease. 

During a professional cleaning, your hygienist or dentist will:

• Remove plaque from your teeth
• Remove tartar (calculus) above and beneath the gum line
• Remove stains from teeth and polish them

Gum Disease & Your Oral Health

Periodontal or gum disease is one of the most common dental issues we see patients deal with. Despite your best efforts to maintain oral health through home care, gum disease may still occur - and may require treatment in the form of gum therapy. 

• Symptoms

  Sometimes, you won't notice symptoms of gum disease. However, sometimes patients will experience symptoms such as:

  • Receding gums
  • Red or purple gums
  • Sore or swollen gums 
  • Persistent bad breath
  • Bleeding in your gums 
• Diagnosis

  To diagnose gum disease, we measure the depth of pockets surrounding each tooth. Pockets deeper than 3 mm are considered hazardous and will usually require treatment. 

  Regular dental exams allow your dentist the opportunity to detect gum disease early and take preventive measures. 

• Treatment

  We treat gum disease by carefully removing substances and bacteria, which form in pockets around your teeth. The removal of these bacteria requires great skill, as the process happens on a microscopic level. Our dental team has the advanced training required to effectively remove all of the bacteria. 

  The process of removing bacteria typically requires multiple visits to our office. Once bacteria has been eliminated, your dentist must clean and maintain the pockets on a regular basis. Otherwise, bone can continue to be damaged by bacteria. 

• Long-Term Care

  Usually, once you have had periodontal or gum disease, you will always need to pay extra attention to your oral health. 

  Along with practicing diligent home hygiene, you'll need to attend regular dental cleanings to keep the bone in your jaw and mouth from receding. 

  After the initial problem is treated, we will recommend you attend periodontal maintenance appointments every 3 to 4 months.