Maintaining Your Healthy, Beautiful Smile
At River Birch Dental, our Centuria dentists believe the best way to maintain healthy teeth and gums is through prevention. This is why we recommend scheduling biannual cleanings and checkups, to catch issues before they become problematic and keep your oral health on track.
Dr. Georgie Vargas and our hygienists take the utmost care with routine dental visits. Read on to learn more and how your oral health can benefit.
The Importance of Professional Dental Checkups
While brushing and flossing are necessary for dental hygiene, professional dental cleanings and checkups are crucial to keep teeth and gums healthy.
Here are some benefits of routine dental checkups:
- Early Detection: Regular checkups allow dentists to detect potential dental problems before they become more serious.
- Preventive Care: Professional dental cleanings remove plaque and tartar buildup, which can prevent tooth decay and gum disease.
- Education: Dr. Vargas can provide valuable information on maintaining good oral hygiene and preventing dental problems.
- Cost-Effective: Early detection and prevention of dental problems can save money in the long run.
Biannual Dental Exams
Our dentists in Centuria believe that prevention starts with biannual checkups to ensure your oral health is on the right track. During your biannual exam, we’ll screen you for oral cancer by thoroughly assessing your cheeks, gums, tongue, throat, face, and neck for abnormalities or growths. If caught early on, oral cancer has a higher rate of success. We’ll also use diagnostic tools such as X-rays to get a closer look at your teeth and gums to help catch any issues before they become problematic.
Steps to a Professional Tooth Cleaning
Dental cleanings can be completed in the following five steps:
- Checking gums for any signs of inflammation or other concerns.
- Removing tartar below the gum line, in between, and on teeth.
- Polishing teeth to smooth their surfaces.
- Flossing teeth to remove leftover debris from the treatment and assess the health of gums.
- Applying a fluoride treatment that will help prevent cavities.
Gum Disease and Periodontal Treatment
When gum disease is in its early stages, Dr. Vargas can reverse it with a deep cleaning. If it reaches advanced stages, known as periodontitis, regular maintenance will be necessary to stop the progression of the disease, which can erode your jaw bone.
Signs of advanced gum disease include:
- Bleeding gums
- Swollen gums
- Pain with chewing
- Bad Breath
- Sensitive teeth
- Tooth mobility
- Receding gums
If you have periodontal disease, don’t wait for it to get worse. Schedule an appointment at our Centuria location by calling (715) 646-2161. At your appointment, one of our dentists or hygienists will perform a deep cleaning to alleviate your symptoms and remedy the situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Improving your oral hygiene is crucial to maintain healthy teeth and gums. Here are some tips:
- Brush Twice Daily: Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste to brush your teeth for at least two minutes.
- Floss Daily: Flossing helps remove food particles and plaque from between your teeth and gums.
- Use Mouthwash: Use an antiseptic mouthwash to help kill bacteria and freshen your breath.
- Eat a Healthy Diet: Limit sugary and acidic foods and drinks, and eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and dairy products.
- Don’t Smoke: Smoking can cause staining, bad breath, and increase the risk of gum disease and oral cancer.
It’s best to have a dental check-up every six months. However, some patients may need to visit the dentist more frequently, depending on their oral health needs.
Yes. Poor oral hygiene can lead to several risk factors, including tooth decay, gum disease, bad breath, tooth loss, and even systemic health problems such as heart disease and diabetes. It’s best to visit your dentist regularly to keep your oral and overall health in check.
Insurance coverage for routine dental visits may vary depending on the plan. Some insurance plans may cover preventive services such as cleanings and check-ups, while others may only cover emergency or medically necessary dental services. Check with your insurance provider to determine what is covered under your plan.