It’s no coincidence that the majority of dental insurance plans will provide coverage for checkups and cleanings. When you schedule regular visits at Healthy Smiles Dental Care, you’re not just able to see our smiling faces. You’re keeping tooth decay and gum disease at bay by giving us a chance to review your oral health and make sure we can catch dental problems in the earliest stages. If it’s been more than six months since you or your loved one’s last dental appointment, please give us a call today so we can help you and your smile stay healthy with preventive dentistry in Chelseas, MI.
At the start of your dental cleaning, we will begin a detailed examination to confirm that your teeth and gums do not have any abnormalities that could be indicative of an oral health issue. Traditionally, one of your biannual visits will require an X-ray. From there, we can begin removing plaque and tartar (its more calcified form) from your teeth using a specific dental instrument known as a scaler. Afterwards, we’ll use our special brush to polish your teeth with medical-grade toothpaste. This keeps them as clean as possible.
Even if you haven’t noticed it before, you likely had an oral cancer screening performed by your previous dentist! This is because dentists are in a unique position to catch the early warning signs of cancer during routine checkups. This is not different at our dental office. These early signs could include unusual lumps of oral tissue, which can be easily caught with our intraoral camera. After examining every inch of your mouth, we’ll explain our findings. If we believe that you are showing signs of oral cancer, we’ll get you started in making arrangements for a proper diagnosis from a physician.
While most people are not familiar with the term, bruxism is a condition characterized by grinding and clenching of the teeth at night, usually while asleep. At first, it may seem like a relatively harmless condition. However, the fact is this habit can easily wear down your enamel and cause teeth to fracture. If we do notice any signs of bruxism during your exam, we can capture a digital impression of your mouth. This scan can be sent to a dental lab so they can create a custom nightguard. Oral appliances are worn at night while you sleep to keep your upper and lower teeth from touching.
Fluoride is one of the most essential minerals for long-term oral health. This is because it works to support healthy enamel and make sure bacteria cannot develop cavities. Most of the fluoride you need will come from sources like your diet and public drinking water. However, if you are at higher risk for cavities than most people, you can receive supplemental fluoride during your checkup. Not only is treatment completely painless, but it will only take a few minutes to apply. Once the highly concentrated fluoride is applied to your teeth and has had a chance to absorb, you can begin to reap the benefits.
Do you ever think about the products you’re using to keep your teeth clean at home? Are you using mouthwash as part of your routine? When you have the right oral hygiene products for your smile, you can make sure that your oral health is being properly cared for daily. Our dental office relies on reputable brands like Crest and Oral-B, both of which have proven to be perfect for protection against cavities, plaque, gum issues, and other dental concerns. If you need to improve your personal oral care routine, let us know which products you already use to see if a substitute or alternative may be better.