Dental Exams
Dental Exams & Teeth Cleaning in Arlington, TX
What is the Importance of a Dental Exam?
Dental health experts recommend bi-annual visits to the dentist for cleaning and examination. Most people with relatively good dental health should see their dentist two times a year.
At our office, we do everything we can to help patients feel comfortable and at-ease. We provide a comprehensive examination of your teeth, gums, tongue, and jaw. During your exam, a dental health professional looks for early-stage problems or the beginning signs of tooth decay.
Recognizing problems early allows us to develop a treatment plan and take care of issues before they develop into something painful and devastating.
In addition to the basic assessment of your dental health, we also use tools and x-rays to complete a comprehensive exam. We collect information about you medications and overall medical health because those things affect your dental health. And of course, if you have any concerns or pain, we’ll address those and come up with a treatment plan.
If you are experiencing any dental issues, including pain or discomfort, we’ll identify the source and devise treatment plan to fix it.
What Happens During a Dental Cleaning?
We do everything we can to help patients feel calm and relaxed. We know that many people experience anxiety when undergoing dental procedures. The same is true for some with routine dental cleanings.
Knowing what to expect during your dental cleaning helps you feel at ease.
During a cleaning, our dental professionals remove stubborn tartar and plaque from your teeth and gums. This is a painless process that utilizes special tools. At most, you might feel a bit of pressure or discomfort. Removing tarter buildup is essential because it creates so many dental problems. This is why your twice-a-year dental cleaning is so important.
Once the cleaning is finished, we polish your teeth with special toothpaste and equipment. This is also a cleaning procedure and it removes any plaque left after the initial cleaning. After, your teeth feel fresh and smooth.
Finally, we rinse your mouth and floss each tooth. If you need a floss refresher, we give you tips for doing it at home.
If it’s been more than six months since your last dental cleaning and exam, give us a call.
Oral Health and Gum Therapy
During its earliest stages, gum disease is called gingivitis. It happens where there is a buildup of plaque on or below the gum line.
What is plaque?
Plaque is the sticky film that develops from bacteria on the teeth. When you fail to brush and floss it away, it hardens into tartar, which then triggers gingivitis.
Gingivitis can be serious when you do not treat it. It can lead to tooth loss and permanent jaw damage.
The periodontal treatment of gum therapy is an effective way for dealing with gingivitis and preventing more serious gum health problems. In gum therapy, our dental health professionals use special tools to smooth your teeth’s roots and promote gum growth. In many cases, this is all that is needed to resolve the problem.
The earlier you begin gum therapy the better. If you notice receding gums or bleeding when you brush, don’t wait to seek treatment. Contact us as soon as possible to schedule a gum health evaluation. There are many treatment options and we can help you make the best decision about your gum health.
What Can I Do About Bad Breath?
Bad breath, officially called halitosis, is something a lot of people experience. It has many causes. One of the most common issues is pungent foods like onion or garlic. Normally, brushing and flossing is enough to remedy the problem.
Other types of bad breath are persistent and don’t go away when you brush or floss. Sometimes the problem is that you aren’t brushing or flossing thoroughly enough and food becomes trapped. As the food decays, it feeds the bacteria in your mouth and causes bad breath.
People with dentures also need to clean their teeth to prevent bad breath.
In some cases, bad breath is a sign of a more serious problem. It can be triggered by an infection or a metabolic disorder. These conditions are rare, but it’s important to undergo an evaluation and determine the root cause of bad breath.
You can only cover bad breath with mints or gum for so long. It’s important to find a permanent solution. Contact us to schedule an evaluation and to create a plan to deal with your bad breath.
Do I Need an Oral Cancer Screening?
An oral cancer screening helps you identify problems as early as possible. Everyone should undergo a periodic oral cancer screening. Left untreated, oral cancers can be fatal, but caught early, they are almost always treatable.
All of our patients undergo oral cancer screenings. We discuss your overall oral health and determine if you have any cancer risk. This includes smoking, health history, or changes in your oral tissue, throat, tongue, or jaw.
Next, we conduct a hands-on and visual cancer screening. This includes feeling along your neck and jawline for lumps or swelling. We also do a careful visual assessment of your mouth, lips, throat, and tongue.
If we find anything suspicious, we’ll discuss it with you and determine the appropriate next step. Cancer screenings are pain-free, non-invasive, and last just a minute or two. They are an essential part of maintaining good dental and overall health.