We focus on preventive care and education as the vital path to achieving and maintaining your healthy smile. A complete oral exam, including an oral cancer screening and periodontal probings to measure the health of your gum tissue is a must!
- Brushing: There are a number of effective brushing techniques. Patients are advised to check with their dentist or hygienist to determine which technique is best for them, since, tooth position and gum condition vary. One effective, easy-to-remember technique involves using a circular or elliptical motion to brush a couple of teeth at a time, gradually covering the entire mouth. Place a toothbrush beside your teeth at a 45-degree angle and gently brush teeth in an elliptical motion. Brush the outside of the teeth, inside the teeth, your tongue and the chewing surfaces and in between teeth. Using a back and forth motion causes the gum surface to recede, or can expose the root surface or make the root surface tender. You also risk wearing down the gum line.
- Flossing: Flossing is the one most important step in oral care that people forget to do or claim they don't have time for. By flossing your teeth daily, you increase the chances of keeping your teeth a lifetime and decrease your chance of having periodontal or gum disease. Take an 18-inch piece of floss and wind the bulk of the floss lightly around the middle finger. (Don't cut off your finger's circulation!) Wind the rest of the floss similarly around the same finger of the opposite hand. This finger takes up the floss as it becomes soiled or frayed. Maneuver the floss between teeth with your index fingers and thumbs. Don't pull it down hard against your gums or you will hurt them. Don't rub it side to side as if you're shining shoes. Bring the floss up and down several times forming a "C" shape around the tooth being sure to go below the gum line.
- Dental Hygiene: Dental hygiene is the best means of prevention of cavities, gingivitis, periodontitis and other dental disorders. It also helps to prevent bad breath (halitosis). Dental hygiene is necessary for all persons to maintain the health of their teeth and mouth. Dental hygiene consists of both personal (proper brushing and flossing) and professional care. Dental X-rays may be performed as part of routine professional examinations.
- Fluoride Treatment: Helps strengthen the enamel of your teeth reducing the risk of cavities for children and adults
- Sealants: A plastic coating placed on the biting surface of 6 year and 12 year molars to help prevent cavities from forming in the deep grooves of these teeth
- Prophylaxis: "Cleaning" or removing the build up of calculus, stain and tartar regular daily brushing and flossing does not
- Periodontal Treatment: Includes treatment for gingivitis and soft tissue management in order to treat (not cure) periodontal disease
- Root Planing & Scaling: Deep "cleaning" with anesthesia if needed, in order to remove stubborn calculus and tartar buildup below the gumline
- Antibiotic Therapy: Placing an antibiotic below the gumline in conjunction with scaling and root planing to fight active infection and promote healing
- Periodontal Maintenance: More frequent prophylaxis (3 or 4 month intervals instead of 6 month intervals) in order to prevent calculus, tartar and bacteria from reaching damaging levels
