Preventive Dentistry

Dental Exams

Dental exams and x-rays are important tools that we use to assess and maintain our patients’ oral health.  By detecting problems early on, we can fix them much more easily and avoid our patients from getting more complicated and costly treatment alternatives.

Dental exams should generally take place every six months. We may suggest that you visit more frequently based on factors such as smoking, frequency of cavities and genetic susceptibility to tooth and root decay as well as gum disease.

Dental Prophylaxis (Teeth Cleaning)

A dental prophylaxis is a cleaning treatment performed to thoroughly clean the teeth.  

The benefits of a professional cleaning include:

• Plaque removal. Tartar (also referred to as calculus) and plaque buildup, both above and below the gum line, can result in serious problems. Unfortunately, even with a proper home brushing and flossing routine, it can be impossible to remove all debris, bacteria and deposits from gum pockets. The experienced eye of a dentist or hygienist using specialized dental equipment is necessary to catch potentially damaging buildup.
• A healthier looking smile. Stained and yellowed teeth can dramatically decrease the esthetics of a smile. Prophylaxis is an effective treatment in ridding the teeth of these unsightly stains.
• Fresher breath. Bad breath (or halitosis) is generally indicative of advancing periodontal disease. A combination of food particles (below the gum line) and potential gangrene stemming from gum infection, results in bad breath. The routine removal of plaque, calculus and bacteria can noticeably improve halitosis and reduce infection.

We recommend that prophylaxis be performed twice annually as a preventative measure, but should be completed every 3-4 months for patients who have periodontal (gum) disease.  While gum disease cannot be completely reversed, dental prophylaxis is one of the tools that can be used to effectively halt its progression.