Care For Your Smile
Dental Cleanings
Dental plaque is a sticky film that builds up on teeth and gums. If this plaque is not removed it can harden over time becoming calculus or tartar. At your cleaning appointment, our Registered Dental Hygienist will clean your teeth and remove all of the dental plaque and calculus.
X-Rays
Dental X-rays provide valuable information in evaluating your oral health. With the help of radiographs (the term for pictures taken with X-rays), we can look at what is happening beneath the surface of your teeth and gums. How often X-rays should be taken depends on your present oral health, your age, your risk for disease, and any signs and symptoms of oral disease you may be experiencing. We recommend that dental X-rays be taken on a yearly basis, but may tailor that to individual needs.
Dental Exam
During your cleaning appointment, Dr. Mueller will determine your overall dental health by evaluating your x-rays, examining your existing dental work, examining all tooth surfaces for cavities, checking your gum health and performing an oral cancer screening.
Gingivitis
Gingivitis is the initial stage of periodontal or "gum" disease. Affected gums become increasingly red and swollen and may bleed easily when brushing or flossing. At this stage, the condition is reversible with adequate home care and regular visits to Dr. Mueller. If not treated, however, gingivitis may lead to a more serious condition known as periodontal disease.
Periodontal (Gum) Disease
Periodontal or "gum" disease is the progression of gingivitis. It can irreversibly damage the gums and bone surrounding the teeth, which may lead to tooth loss. Treatment can help, however it depends on how far the condition has progressed and how well your body responds to therapy over time.
Diagnosis
During your dental cleaning appointment, the dental hygienist or dentist will use an instrument to gently measure the depth of spaces between your teeth and gums. Healthy gum tissue will have shallow measurements. When periodontal disease is present, this normally shallow pocket will develop into a deeper pocket that bleeds, collects more plaque bacteria and is difficult to keep clean.
Treatment
When periodontal disease is not severe, it can often be managed in the general dentist's office. The dental team will often recommend a treatment called "scaling and root planning" or a deep cleaning. A local anesthetic is often used to reduce discomfort and allow the dental hygienist to reach her cleaning instruments under the gum line. In this way, the dental hygienist is able to remove plaque bacteria and calculus from the bottom of the periodontal pocket.
Maintenance
After a patient has undergone a "deep cleaning", they are often seen more frequently (three to four month intervals) for regular dental cleanings. In this way, the dental team is able to keep the periodontal pockets maintained and possibly move the periodontal disease into a remission-like state.
Oral Cancer Screening
During your dental exam, Dr. Mueller will visually examine your lips, throat, cheeks, tongue and gum tissue for any signs of oral cancer. Oral cancer, when detected in its early stages, is highly treatable.
Home Care
Sonicare Toothbrushes
It is very important to keep up good oral hygiene at home. To help our patients stay healthy in between office visits, we have partnered with Phillips Sonicare. Our partnership with Phillips Sonicare allows us to offer our patients a variety of Sonicare toothbrushes at a price almost 50% below retail.
