Dental Cleaning & Exams
Dental cleanings and exams ensure your teeth are kept free of plaque and tartar buildup that cause decay. In addition, these screenings can ensure early diagnosis and effective treatment of dental issues before they become more serious or complex. It is recommended by the ADA that everyone should visit the dentist at least twice per year to ensure optimal oral health. Our talented and experienced team can provide gentle, yet thorough, dental cleanings and exams to help you maintain beautiful and healthy teeth, gums and smile.
The purpose of a teeth cleaning is to rid the teeth of harmful build-up of plaque and stains that may prevent a healthy smile. During cleanings we will:
- remove tartar build-up on your teeth
- remove plaque
- perform teeth polishing to help remove light surface stains and prevent plaque from easily reattaching to your teeth
We can help clean surfaces of your teeth that you may have missed during brushing and flossing. During your appointment, we will also:
- evaluate your overall health and oral hygiene
- check your bite and jaw for any problems
- evaluate your risk of tooth decay and gum or bone disease
- evaluate existing tooth restorations
- take dental x-rays if necessary
Our experienced team can help you establish a dental hygiene routine that will keep your teeth healthy and beautiful.
Contact us to request an appointment for a dental exam and cleaning.
Dental Hygiene
Dental hygiene education is provided and reinforced to be certain that your home oral health practices are being completed regularly and effectively. This can help prevent tooth decay and preserve your healthy smile. We can help you establish a dental hygiene routine that will keep your teeth healthy and beautiful.
Digital X-Rays
Dental x-rays are taken periodically to screen for any issues that may not yet be visible and to help guide treatments when necessary. Digital X-rays can give us the information we need to more effectively plan your orthodontic treatment. Typically, these X-rays are taken before treatment begins, but we may take additional X-rays during and after treatment in order to chart your progress.
Digital X-rays also require much less radiation than traditional film X-rays. Digital X-rays are safe, effective, fast and informative.
Oral Cancer Screenings
We emphasize the importance of providing oral cancer screenings to our patients. Our team is certified to detect and properly diagnose oral cancer. By detecting any abnormalities in your oral health early, we will help you get the treatment you need to either reduce or eliminate the risk of developing a more serious oral health condition.
During an oral cancer screening, we will check for any abnormalities on your mouth, throat, lips, gums, or tongue. We will carefully examine any potential signs that we find. Let us know about any potential oral cancer symptoms you have experienced. Some common symptoms that may indicate early oral cancer include:
- Pain or difficulty with speaking, swallowing, or moving your jaw or tongue
- A sensation that something is caught in the back of your throat
- Sore throat with no other sinus symptoms
- Lumps or swellings in or around your mouth
- Drastic weight loss
- White or red patches in your mouth
- Mouth sores that do not heal
- Unexplained ear pain
- Unexplained bleeding in your mouth
If you have experienced any of these symptoms for more than a week without signs of recovery, call us immediately for an appointment and ask for an oral cancer screening.
In the United States alone, one adult dies every hour of every day from oral cancers. While it is true that any person may develop oral cancer, there are certain factors that can play a role in increasing your risks. Some of the most common include:
- Being male (men are more likely to develop oral cancer than women)
- Use of tobacco in any form (6 times more likely)
- Genetic predisposition for oral cancers
- Excessive or prolonged exposure to sun
- Unhealthy diet
- Excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages
- Having gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD)
Regardless of cause, the success of any treatment will depend on the size, type, and stage of the cancer. This is where early detection plays such a critical part. With early detection comes smaller cancerous or precancerous areas, which can be more easily removed. Early detection means treatment starts sooner, so less invasive procedures are required and the cancer is unlikely to have spread to other systems. The survival rate with early detection is quite high, but is utterly dependent on regular oral cancer screenings.
Our dentist provides comprehensive, high quality dental care for families including oral cancer screenings. We make sure to understand your concerns and answer your questions regarding diagnosis or treatment for oral health issues, including oral cancer.