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Dental Hygiene/Periodontal Health


In addition to the cleaning, and examination of your teeth and oral tissues, we also take the time to help our patients develop proper oral hygiene habits at home. What you do at home on a daily basis is as important, if not more important, than what we can do for you in our dental office!

Plaque: What is it?

Plaque is made up of invisible masses of harmful germs that live in the mouth and stick to the teeth.

  • Some types of plaque cause tooth decay
  • Other types of plaque cause gum disease

Red, puffy or bleeding gums can be the first signs of gum disease. If gum disease is not treated, the tissues and bone holding the teeth in place are destroyed and the teeth are eventually lost.

 

“More than 75 percent of Americans over 35 have some form of gum ( periodontal) disease. In its earliest stage, your gums might swell and bleed easily. At its worst, you might lose your teeth. The bottom line? If you want to keep your teeth, you must take care of your gums ."

If it has been a while since your last oral prophylaxis (cleaning), you may require more than one visit to return you to optimal oral health. In addition, if periodontal disease is diagnosed, we may recommend additional appointments for treatment involving more thorough and detailed scaling (scaling and root planing). These measures can be instrumental in preventing or stopping bone loss and may help you to keep your natural teeth.

Here's a site that may be fun while learning the proper way to brush your teeth.

Oral Cancer Screenings

During a dental exam, the Dentist 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.

Guide to Brushing
Test your brushing ability using our helpful animated 3-D guide. View Guide
We proudly offer dental hygiene at our convenient location in Midway, . A consistent dental hygiene appointment is important to your overall oral health. We'll make sure that your teeth are clean, plaque-free and looking their whitest