|
Dental Hygiene/Periodontal
Health
In addition to the meticulous cleaning, polishing,
and examination of your teeth, we also take the time to help our patients
develop proper oral hygiene habits at home. We will evaluate your hygiene
techniques and make adjustments to your routine where needed. Our doctors
and hygienists will also make suggestions for preventative measures such as
dental sealants or nightguards to protect against bruxism & TMJ.
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 and helping you to keep your natural
teeth.
Oral Cancer Screenings
During a dental
exam, the doctor will check your neck and oral tissues for lumps, red or white
patches or recurring 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
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 trigger 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 periodontist 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 gain a foothold.
|
