Preventing Problems Before They Start
The health of your teeth and mouth is very important to the well-being of your entire body, and while routine brushing and flossing at home is necessary to keep your smile looking its best, visiting your dentist for a comprehensive exam and cleaning is essential. The American Dental Association recommends that you visit your dentist every six months to ensure your teeth stay healthy and your smile stays beautiful.
By routinely seeing your dentist for exams and cleanings, you can:
- Prevent tooth decay, gum disease, and bad breath
- Save money by avoiding costly and extensive dental procedures
- Keep your teeth white by reducing staining from food and drinks
- Shorten the time spent in your dentist's office
- Have a smile that will last a lifetime
The Exam
During your exam, your dentist will thoroughly examine your teeth and gums for signs of tooth decay, gum disease, and other health problems. Your dentist may also want to take X-rays to see what is happening beneath the surface of your teeth and gums. These images will help your dentist discover dental issues not visible to the naked eye. We use only digital X-rays at Winchester Family Dentistry to ensure that images are of diagnostic quality and As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA). See this ADA page for more inforamtion on this: https://www.ada.org/resources/research/science-and-research-institute/oral-health-topics/x-rays-radiographs
Professional Cleanings
Your dental hygienist see you for a cleaning visit after your initial exam. They will begin your cleaning by exploring the surface of your teeth to determine if you have any cavities and to examine the quality of existing fillings. The dental hygienist will then perform a periodontal exam to make sure your gums adhere tightly to your teeth, and no periodontal disease or bone loss may be occurring.
Next, your hygienist will carefully clean your teeth with a variety of tools to remove any hard mineral buildup (tartar) from your teeth. Then your hygienist will floss your teeth, use a polishing compound, and apply fluoride. Cleanings usually aren't painful, but if you have any anxiety about your dental exam, be sure to let your hygienist know. They may offer several sedation options to ensure your comfort. If your dentist or hygienist finds tooth decay or gum disease, they will talk to you about changing your brushing or flossing habits. They may also recommend antibiotics or other dental treatments.
Placing good bacteria in your mouth to prevent infection by pathogenic bacteria is another recommended way of preventing disease. We offer Probiora Probiotics at our practice. More may be found about them here: https://probiorahealth.com/about/
