Prevention & Dental Hygiene
Dentistry is founded on the principal of prevention. The Academy of General Dentistry recommends dental checkups twice a year. Routine checkups help minimize dental problems before they arise with early detection and treatment saving you unnecessary discomfort, time and money; not to mention leaving your gums healthier and your teeth cleaner and brighter.
Smiles Plus Dental Care believes routine preventive measures combined with effective home care are vital steps to good oral hygiene and the best way to detect problems at their earliest stages. We recommend that professional cleanings be performed twice annually as a preventative measure, but should be completed every 3-4 months for periodontitis sufferers.
Dental Cleanings and Regular Checkups
Dental checkups are an important part of maintaining your oral health. Your dental checkup includes:
Smiles Plus Dental Care believes routine preventive measures combined with effective home care are vital steps to good oral hygiene and the best way to detect problems at their earliest stages. We recommend that professional cleanings be performed twice annually as a preventative measure, but should be completed every 3-4 months for periodontitis sufferers.
Dental Cleanings and Regular Checkups
Dental checkups are an important part of maintaining your oral health. Your dental checkup includes:
- A visual examination of your mouth, face, jaw and neck to check for potential concerns or abnormalities
- Appropriate digital imaging
- Inspection of your teeth and gums for gingivitis and signs of periodontal disease including periodontal charting by measuring the pockets of depth between your teeth and gums
- A professional, thorough teeth cleaning to remove hard plaque that cannot be removed by brushing and flossing alone
- Tooth polishing to help smooth teeth
- Topical application of fluoride for both adults and children
- An advanced oral cancer screening (recommended once a year)
Digital Imaging
Digital x-rays and intraoral cameras are some of the most significant advancements in modern dentistry. Digital x-rays are safer and more accurate than traditional dental x-rays and can instantly detect dental problems that cannot be seen during a visual examination.
Intraoral cameras with sophisticated magnification and lighting are also used which allow us to see all surface areas inside your mouth to help diagnose dental issues and are very important in patient education. Modern dental imaging technology allows us to show you clear views of your dental conditions and provide you with appropriate treatment options.
Digital x-rays and intraoral cameras are some of the most significant advancements in modern dentistry. Digital x-rays are safer and more accurate than traditional dental x-rays and can instantly detect dental problems that cannot be seen during a visual examination.
Intraoral cameras with sophisticated magnification and lighting are also used which allow us to see all surface areas inside your mouth to help diagnose dental issues and are very important in patient education. Modern dental imaging technology allows us to show you clear views of your dental conditions and provide you with appropriate treatment options.
Digital X-rays
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CariVu Intraoral Picture
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Digital Panographic Image
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Periodontal Charting
Healthy teeth require healthy gums. Conducting an examination of patients' gingival pockets identifies the presence or risk of gum (periodontal) disease which is the leading cause of tooth loss. A gingival pocket is the space or groove between your tooth and gum. In a healthy mouth, the pocket depth is usually between 1 and 3 mm. Pockets deeper than that may indicate the presence of gum disease requiring more involved treatment. |
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Professional Fluoride Treatment
Fluoride treatments help prevent caries and can repair teeth in the very early, microscopic stages of the disease. It simply provides an extra layer of protection for your teeth. A fluoride treatment in our office takes just a few minutes. After the treatment, patients will be asked not to rinse, eat, or drink for at least 30 minutes in order to allow the teeth to absorb the fluoride. Depending on your oral health, we may recommend that you have a fluoride treatment every three, six, or 12 months. And, we may also prescribe an at-home fluoride product such as a mouthwash, gel, or antibacterial rinse.
Fluoride treatments help prevent caries and can repair teeth in the very early, microscopic stages of the disease. It simply provides an extra layer of protection for your teeth. A fluoride treatment in our office takes just a few minutes. After the treatment, patients will be asked not to rinse, eat, or drink for at least 30 minutes in order to allow the teeth to absorb the fluoride. Depending on your oral health, we may recommend that you have a fluoride treatment every three, six, or 12 months. And, we may also prescribe an at-home fluoride product such as a mouthwash, gel, or antibacterial rinse.
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Sealants
Sealants are a preventive treatment that protects the chewing surfaces of molars and premolars from tooth decay or cavities. These teeth often have deep grooves that are difficult to clean and highly susceptible to cavities due to the plaque and bacteria that can collect in these areas. Tooth colored sealants are painted on the teeth to make these grooves shallower which protects the |
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Oral Cancer Screening
Smiles Plus Dental Care strongly recommends oral cancer screenings at least once a year. Our oral cancer screening device detects abnormalities or suspicious areas within the oral cavity that may not be visible to the naked eye. Your dentist and hygienist are the first lines of defense in the early detection or oral cancer.
Additional Preventative Steps You Can Take at Home
Following are preventative measures you can take at home:
Smiles Plus Dental Care strongly recommends oral cancer screenings at least once a year. Our oral cancer screening device detects abnormalities or suspicious areas within the oral cavity that may not be visible to the naked eye. Your dentist and hygienist are the first lines of defense in the early detection or oral cancer.
Additional Preventative Steps You Can Take at Home
Following are preventative measures you can take at home:
- Brush your teeth with a soft-bristled toothbrush after every meal using a fluoride toothpaste
- Floss daily, preferably before bedtime, to help prevent cavities from forming in hard-to-brush places
- Avoid sugary foods/drinks, coffee and tobacco
