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Why Is a Dental Exam in Bloomington Important?
Adult teeth can last a lifetime is you take care of them, starting with diligent dental hygiene at home and a routine dental exam every six months. Our dentists appreciate the opportunity to prevent problems—or treat them when they are easily manageable. When individuals ignore preventative care, they rarely feel any pain or other symptoms until the problem has become more extensive and treatment is more expensive. If you’ve avoided regular exams but you want to get back on track, call us. We will put you at ease and when you come to our office and one of our dentists will provide a comprehensive dental exam, including:
- A review of your X-rays
- An evaluation of your gum health
- An inspection of each individual tooth for decay, looseness or other problems
- An examination of existing restorations
- A check for evidence that you grind your teeth while sleeping
- A screening for oral cancer
Your dentist also will ask if you have any questions or concerns. If you have any problems, your dentist will create a treatment plan. If not, you’ll receive a suggested schedule for future exams depending on your risk factors for decay and gum disease. Your dentist will also make oral hygiene recommendations if he or she sees areas which could use improvement. Call us today to schedule a preventative dental exam.
Where Can I Go for a Teeth Cleaning and Gum Disease Treatment?
We strongly recommend that you have a professional dental cleaning twice a year. Most of our patients schedule their cleanings before their exams so they don’t have to schedule a separate visit to our office. Cleanings not only brightens your teeth and remove minor stains, they help to prevent dental disease and remove built-up tartar, which can cause cavities and gum disease, the primary causes of adult tooth loss.
If you notice your gums are swollen, red and they bleed when you brush your teeth, call our office to make an appointment. A dental cleaning is also a treatment for gingivitis, the earliest form of gum disease and the only stage of the disease which is reversible. Your hygienist will show you ways to avoid tartar build-up, which should help prevent future cases of gingivitis. Gingivitis may progress to periodontal disease, a more advanced form of gum disease. If this happens, periodontal treatment will be needed if you want to avoid receding gums and loose teeth.
Do Dentists Have Bad Breath Remedies?
If you have chronic bad breath, a dentist can help. We all get bad breath occasionally from eating garlic or other strong-smelling foods. However, about a quarter of adults have bad breath all the time. The first thing your dentist will do is review your oral hygiene habits. After a professional dental cleaning, you’ll learn how to keep your tongue clean and the importance of flossing at least once a day. You should brush your tongue or use a tongue scraper every time you brush your teeth to keep bad breath at bay.
If your oral hygiene isn’t the problem, your dentist will look for decay, signs of gum disease and ask you if your mouth is often dry. Saliva washes away plaque—if your mouth isn’t producing enough saliva, it will affect your breath. Your dentist may suggest drinking lots of water, chewing sugarless gum or using artificial saliva. Smoking also causes bad breath in two ways: the smoke particles can linger for hours in your lungs and the chemicals in tobacco smoke can remain in your saliva. Call our office today to make an appointment to discuss bad breath remedies with one of our dentists.
Why Should I Have an Oral Cancer Screening?
Our dentists perform screenings for oral cancer during routine exams. Our goal is to catch cancer at an early stage when there is a good chance of treatment being successful. If oral cancer isn’t caught early, it can cause facial disfigurement or death. If you’re diagnosed at a late stage, your five-year survival rate is less than 50 percent. Screenings only take a few minutes and are non-invasive and not painful. While older smokers and heavy drinkers are at the highest risk for oral cancer, no one is immune. Younger people are being diagnosed with oral cancer that is thought to be related to the human papillomavirus. If you think you don’t need a screening, consider that more than 52,000 Americans will receive an oral cancer diagnosis this year and over 9,750 people will die from the disease. It’s the sixth most common cancer in America.
For a comprehensive dental exam in Bloomington, which includes a screening for oral cancer, call our dental office and request an appointment. We look forward to welcoming new patients.
CareCredit
CareCredit is a healthcare credit card designed for your health and wellness needs. Pay for the costs of many treatments and procedures through convenient monthly payments.
