Dental Hygiene

Dental Hygiene & Periodontal Health

In addition to the meticulous cleaning, polishing and examining of your teeth, we also take the time to help our patients develop proper oral hygiene habits at home. We will evaluate your hygiene techniques and make adjustments to your routine as needed.

If we feel that you are suffering from gingivitis or more severe gum disease, we may recommend a root scaling or planing (deep cleaning). These measures can be instrumental in preventing bone loss and helping you to keep your natural teeth.

Oral Cancer Screenings

During a dental exam, the doctor will check your neck and oral tissues for lumps, red or white patches, or recurring sore areas.

Screening for early changes in the oral tissue can help detect cancer at a stage when it can be more successfully treated.

Smoking, especially combined with heavy alcohol consumption, is the primary risk factor for oral cancer. In fact, this combination is estimated to be the most likely trigger in about 75% of oral cancers diagnosed in this country.

Scaling and Root Planing

Scaling and root planing is a non-surgical procedure in which the hygienist removes plaque and tartar from below the gum line. Root surfaces are cleaned and smoothed with specially designed instruments. It is important to remove the plaque and tartar from below the gums, because aside from the bacterial toxins that irritate the gums, plaque and the rough surfaces of tartar make it easier for bacteria to gain a foothold.