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Dental Hygiene/Periodontal Health
Your teeth are held in your mouth by the jawbone and gums. On your first visit we will take x-rays to check the bone and use a perio probe(small measuring stick) to check the gums. Each person is placed in one of three categories:
- Healthy - gums are firm and not red, there is little plaque or calculus.
- Gingivitis - red, swollen gums. Moderate plaque and calculus.
- Periodontal Disease - loss of bone holding your teeth in the mouth.
Treatment is based on the category. Many people will have healthy gums or mild gingivitis. This is treated with a standard prophylaxis cleaning. If you have a lot of plaque and calculus 'debris' on your teeth with bleeding gums but no x-ray bone loss then a Full Mouth Debridement will be done. This involves the use of an Ultrasonic Scaler and extra time and attention is devoted to removing the deposits from your teeth. We generally recommend a special rinse to take home as well.
Bone loss seen on x-rays or detected by the perio probe is treated with Scaling and Root Planing or SRP. This is generally done over two appointments and involves numbing and working on half the mouth at a time. This way we can take extra time to clean under the gums without discomfort. After SRP we recommend maintenance cleanings every 3 months.
Oral Cancer Screenings
During a dental exam, the doctor will check your mouth for bumps, red or white patches, ulcers and other irregularities. Screening for early changes in the oral tissue can help detect abnormalities, such as cancer, at a stage when they can be more successfully treated.
Smoking, especially combined with heavy alcohol consumption (30 drinks a week or more), is the primary risk factor for oral cancer. In fact, this combination is estimated to be the most likely trigger in about 75 percent of oral cancers diagnosed in this country. Other lifestyle and environmental factors also may increase your risk of developing oral cancer.
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