In preventive dentistry, teeth are maintained through regular dental check-ups, as well as good oral hygiene habits, such as brushing and flossing. Taking care of your teeth begins in your childhood and continues throughout your life.
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We feel that the dental examination is the most important part of your dental visit. It forms the basis for the diagnosis of the conditions present in your mouth, and for future treatment. In addition, a variety of medical conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, HIV and adverse outcomes of pregnancy, have associations with oral health. Therefore, we take your examination very seriously.
During your initial or routine dental check-up, the hygienist will gather information to allow Dr. Leske or Dr. Schierlinger to perform a thorough evaluation. The complete examination consists of:
Health History Review – Certain medical conditions and/or medications can affect your oral health. We also look at your family history since genetics plays a role in the mouth-body connection.
Caries Risk Assessment – We will evaluate certain factors which may put you at higher risk for developing dental disease and discuss preventative measures to meet your specific needs.
Blood Pressure Screening – Hypertension is a prevalent condition that contributes to important adverse health outcomes, including premature death, heart attack, renal insufficiency and stroke. We screen every adult patient at least once per year according the AMA recommendations.
Oral Cancer Screening – We will be checking the outside of your head and neck and the inside of the mouth for any abnormalities from side to side.
Restorative Examination – We will look over your existing crowns and fillings to see how well they are holding up for you.
Clinical Examination of Tooth Decay – All tooth surfaces are checked for decay with special dental instruments.
Periodontal Evaluation – We will measure the pocket depth around each tooth and check for bleeding which indicates unhealthy tissue.
Radiographic Examination – Necessary radiographs will be taken which are essential for detection of decay that cannot be seen clinically, faulty restorations, tumors, cysts, abscesses and bone loss.
Temporomandibular Joint Screening – We will record the width of the opening of your mouth and check for any popping or clicking of the jaw joints. We will evaluate the position of teeth and relationship of the upper and lower teeth to the functioning of the jaw joint.
Once the evaluation is complete, we will review all of the findings with you. Our objective is to provide a plan that will maintain your oral health for the rest of your life!
Plaque is a sticky, almost invisible film that forms on the teeth which consists of bacteria, food debris and saliva. It can easily be removed with a toothbrush. If it is not removed, it will harden and become calculus (tartar). Calculus forms above and below the gum line, especially in places where your toothbrush can't reach, and is firmly attached to the tooth surface. It can only be removed with special dental instruments. Removing plaque and tarter improves your oral health and minimizes risk of gingivitis and periodontal disease.
Semi-annually, you should schedule a professional dental cleaning (prophylaxis) and exam. During this visit, one of our Registered Dental Hygienists will use dental instruments to scale away tartar build-up, and then pleasantly polish the surface of your teeth to remove stains and plaque that is not otherwise removed during tooth brushing and scaling. Your mouth is left feeling clean and refreshed!
As part of our commitment to provide you with the highest level of personalized care, our hygienists routinely perform risk assessments on all of our patients. Your risk of developing dental disease (cavities, gum disease, etc.) indicates how often preventative services (X-rays, cleanings, exams, fluoride treatments, etc.) are necessary. Patients at low risk may require less frequent services, while those at higher risk may require more. Our goal is to provide you with a preventative care plan tailored to your specific needs and discuss ways in which you can lower your risk of developing dental disease, which will help keep you and your smile healthy for a lifetime.
If you are due for your semi-annual dental cleaning and exam, please call our office to schedule an appointment.
In order to provide our patients with the highest quality of dental services, we use dental radiographs, or X-rays, in our office. These radiographs provide us with invaluable information about your oral and dental health.
While radiographic equipment does produce radiation (and depends on that radiation to function properly), modern advances in technology are continually reducing the amount of radiation that is produced. In fact, studies have shown that the amount of radiation produced by these machines is not significantly higher than other “normal” sources of radiation that we are exposed to on perhaps a daily basis, such as televisions and airplanes.
X-rays work on a simple principle: the X-rays are stimulated and sent through the mouth. When these rays pass through, they are absorbed more by the bones in your mouth than the gums and other soft tissues, creating a picture of how the teeth inside your mouth are positioned, as well as any potential areas of weakness or decay in your teeth.
While this radiation is very low, it is still recommended that pregnant women avoid any unnecessary X-rays. However, pregnant women are also more vulnerable to gum disease, so X-rays be recommended, in which case proper precautions should be taken, such as using a lead apron and thyroid collar.
Fluoride is a relatively recent but important advance in dental and oral health. Studies consistently show that a moderate but consistent exposure of teeth to fluoride helps strengthen and rebuild tooth structure, and helps prevent future decay.
It is important to note, however, that like any medical treatment, fluoride should be taken in moderation. Overexposure to fluoride can result in a cosmetic condition known as fluorosis: thin white lines, streaks or spots on the tooth enamel that start to usually darken later. The risk of fluorosis is most pronounced in infants and children whose teeth have not yet fully developed and erupted from the gum line, which is why extra care must be taken to monitor how much fluoride a child ingests. Many, if not most, public water sources contain fluoridated water, and a common cause of fluorosis in children is powdered formula that is prepared with fluoridated water. There are also many kinds of toothpaste, mouthwashes and even some flosses that contain fluoride.
For more on fluoride and fluoridation, you can visit the ADA’s website.
The grooves and depressions that form the chewing surfaces of the back teeth are extremely difficult (if not impossible) to clean of bacteria and food. As the bacteria reacts with the food, acids form and break down the tooth enamel, causing cavities. Recent studies indicate that 88 percent of total cavities in American school children are caused this way.
Tooth sealants protect these susceptible areas by sealing the grooves and depressions, preventing bacteria and food particles from residing in these areas. Sealant material is a resin typically applied to the back teeth, molars and premolars and areas prone to cavities. It lasts for several years but needs to be checked during regular appointments.
The term “periodontal” means “around the tooth.” Therefore, periodontal disease affects the gums and bone supporting the teeth. Gum, or periodontal, disease can cause inflammation, tooth loss and bone damage. The infection starts when the gums become inflamed due to bacteria in plaque, a sticky, colorless film that forms on your teeth. While this is often the main cause of periodontal disease, other factors can also be attributed to affecting the health of the gums and bone, including:
- Smoking or tobacco use
- Stress
- Genetics
- Pregnancy
- Medications
- Diabetes
- Poor nutrition
Periodontal disease comes in many forms. Gingivitis is perhaps the mildest form of gum disease. While the gums become red, swollen and bleed easily, there is very little to no discomfort associated at this stage of the disease. Through a good oral hygiene regimen and treatment from your dentist, the results of gingivitis can be reversed.
Periodontitis is another form of periodontal disease and can be aggressive or chronic. Aggressive periodontitis displays rapid bone destruction and attachment loss in clinically healthy patients. Chronic periodontitis is one of the most common forms of periodontal disease and is frequently seen in adults. The stages progress slowly and can be recognized by gum recession and pocket formation.
Treatment and Prevention
Good oral hygiene and regular visits with your dentist and periodontist can prevent periodontal disease. Daily brushing and flossing can keep plaque to a minimum, and, in conjunction with professional cleanings 2-4 times a year, can keep your teeth healthy for life. If the disease is diagnosed in its early stages, it may be treated effectively. Patients with signs and symptoms of periodontal disease are given a thorough examination, diagnosis and treatment plan. In most cases (or non-surgical as we don’t provide periodontal surgery in our office), necessary therapy and maintenance can be provided in our office.