If you think you’re just getting a cleaning…
Our hygienists screen for gum disease, oral cancer, diabetes, heart disease, sleep disorders, and eating disorders.
Preventive Dentistry
Women’s Oral Health
In addition to adequate dental homecare, women's oral health depends on their different stages of life. For many women, these changes are directly related to fluctuations in hormone levels, such as during puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, lactation and menopause. Women are also more likely to be diagnosed with jaw joint problems, jaw muscle pain, eating disorders and Sjögren's syndrome (which causes dry mouth). To anticipate and avoid problems, you may need more frequent dental visits during stages of your life when hormone levels are changing, as this also affects your defenses against bacteria that naturally live in the mouth.
Men’s Oral Health
Good oral health recently has been linked with longevity. In fact, losing teeth affects not only quality but also quantity of life. It has also been found that one of the most common factors associated with infrequent dental visits among men is just being male.
Men are more likely to visit a dentist only when a problem arises. One reason for encouraging more regular dental visits among men is that they are more likely to develop oral and throat cancer and periodontal (gum) disease. A yearly examination of the head, neck and mouth will improve the chances of identifying problems before they become more difficult to manage.
Expect a thorough examination to detect potential problems and provide a customized treatment plan. An exam may include some or all of the following procedures: A medical history review, lifestyle and nutrition questions as well as a list of medications and health supplements; examination of soft tissues (gums and tongue) and hard tissues (bone and teeth); complete oral and head and neck screening; periodontal (gum) disease evaluation and a detailed mapping of your teeth and gums, which may include digital X-rays and photographs.
Periodontal disease is a result of plaque, a film composed of bacteria, which hardens into tartar (dental calculus). Tartar and bacteria dissolve the gum and bone fibers that anchor the teeth to the jaw, creating gum pockets that fill with more bacteria and food debris. Professional management of gum inflammation due to periodontitis helps with conditions such as: heart disease, diabetes, aspiration pneumonia, osteoporosis, impotence, kidney, pancreatic and blood cancers. Careful and thorough debridement of the gums and tooth surfaces supported by regular maintenance is effective to manage the progression of periodontitis.
Tooth decay is also known as caries or cavities. Bacteria that naturally live in the mouth form a film on the surface of the teeth called plaque, which feeds off deposits left on teeth from sugary or starchy foods and produce acids. These fermentation acids dissolve tooth enamel over time leading to tooth decay. Left untreated, active cavities can result in pain, which will lead to either a root canal procedure or loss of the tooth. Regular visits for a professional dental cleaning and exam will help detect and treat dental cavities in the early stages of infection.