Dental Hygiene/Periodontal Health

In addition to the meticulous cleaning, polishing, and examination of your teeth, we also take the time to help you develop proper oral hygiene habits at home. We will evaluate your hygiene techniques and make adjustments to your routine where needed. Remember that the main cause of people losing their teeth is due to gum disease, which is preventable by your correct home dental care and regular dental hygiene visits.

If we feel that you are suffering from gingivitis or more severe gum disease, we may recommend a root scaling or planing. These measures can be instrumental in preventing bone loss around the tooth roots, helping you to keep your natural teeth.

We can also make suggestions for preventative measures such as dental sealants or nightguards to protect against bruxism & jaw joint problems.

Oral Cancer Screenings

During a dental exam, we will check your neck and oral tissues for lumps, red or white patches or recurring sore areas.

Screening for early changes in the oral tissues can help detect cancer at a stage when it can be more successfully treated.

Smoking, especially combined with heavy alcohol consumption (30 drinks a week or more), is the primary risk factor for oral cancer. In fact, this combination is estimated to be the most likely cause in about 75 percent of oral cancers diagnosed in this country. Other lifestyle and environmental factors also may increase your risk of developing oral cancer.

Scaling & Root Planing

Scaling and root planing is a non-surgical procedure in which the dentist removes plaque and tartar from below the gum line. Root surfaces are cleaned and smoothed with specially designed instruments. It is important to remove the plaque and tartar from the pockets, because aside from the bacterial toxins that irritate the gums, plaque and the rough surfaces of tartar make it easier for bacteria to regain a foothold.