Your Dental Hygiene / Periodontal Health Exam

Count on receiving a meticulous cleaning, polishing and examination of your teeth during each regular check-up. We may also recommend preventative measures like dental sealants or even a nightguard to protect against bruxism & TMJ. We’ll encourage you to continue practicing good oral hygiene at home and may even suggest adjustments to your oral care routine.

If you show signs of gingivitis or other gum disease, we may recommend a root scaling or planing. These measures can be critical in preventing bone loss and in helping you keep your natural teeth.

Scaling & Root Planing

Scaling and root planing is a non-surgical procedure during which the hygienist 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 these pockets, because along with hiding bacterial toxins that irritate the gums, plaque and the rough surfaces found on tartar make it easier for bacteria to grow.

Oral Cancer Screenings

During your dental exam, one of our doctors will check your neck and oral tissues for lumps, red or white patches and sore areas. Screening for early changes in the oral tissue can help detect cancer at a stage when it can be more successfully treated.

Smoking, especially when combined with heavy alcohol consumption, (30 drinks a week or more), is a primary risk factor for oral cancer. In fact, this combination is believed to be responsible for about 75 percent of all oral cancers diagnosed in this country. Other lifestyle and environmental factors also may increase your risk of developing oral cancer. We’ll be happy to discuss them with you.

To watch a short video about good oral hygiene, click the play button.