HYGIENE
Hygiene
Why are hygiene appointments important?
In addition to appearance, there are numerous health benefits gained from regular examinations / cleanings.
Firstly, maintaining a regular dental check up schedule will help identify potential problems and treat them before they become painful and more expensive.
Recall Examinations
can help, identify serious medical conditions such as cancer in early stages, as well as identifying problems such as cracked or broken teeth or fillings which if left untreated could result in root canal treatment or tooth loss. Regular cleanings help prevent periodontal disease, which can lead to bone and gum loss. Regular removal of plaque can also reduce bad breath.
Examination Types
How Often Should I Get a Check up?
A good rule of thumb is once every six months – providing that you have not experienced any sensitivity, pain or discomfort anywhere in your mouth.
However, there are certain conditions that require more frequent visits to the dentist, including periodontal and gum disease, poor oral hygiene habits, high use of tobacco and alcohol, pregnancy, diabetes and certain medical conditions. These conditions leave the patient with a higher risk of gum disease, oral cancer and cavities – so patients who fall into any of these particular categories should visit their dentist on a more regular basis.
Whether you have healthy gums or are in a state of active periodontal disease, routine home maintenance -although very effective – only focuses on areas of the tooth that are above the gum line.
It is only through regular scaling and root planing procedures that remove plaque, tartar and bacterial toxins from those hard-to-reach areas below the gum line, that we are able to keep your gums healthy from top to bottom!
Unless, otherwise told, we recommend that you visits twice a year for maintenance/preventative care, unless your oral health status dictates you require more frequent visits.
Depending on your preventative treatment schedule, some visits may include...
- taking x-rays to check bone levels (a good indicator of chronic gum and bone disease)
- measuring the depth of periodontal pockets
- checking for loose teeth or bleeding gums
- removing plaque or tartar above and below the gum line
- reviewing your home care techniques and their resulting effectiveness
- oral cancer screening and checking the tissues of the head and neck
Regular periodontal and preventative maintenance visits help us break the stronghold of bacteria in your gums and slow or eliminate their destructive effects. As such, removal of tarter and bacteria are crucial to treating gingivitis, controlling periodontal disease and preventing tooth decay.
To book your appointment speak to a team member at Dr John L. Chiasson Dentistry, at 705.352.1028.