The Importance of Preventative Care
At the Alexandria Smile Center, your oral health is our number one priority. Dental hygiene begins at home with regular brushing and flossing, but it’s not enough to guarantee the lasting health of your smile.
Regular checkups and cleanings will keep your teeth looking their best and prevent future dental health issues. Protecting the health of your mouth should always be considered a whole-body issue. Diseases that start in the teeth or gums can spread when they aren’t caught early or are left untreated.
Don’t miss the warning signs of dental health issues—our team of professionals will address your needs and provide necessary care to reverse your symptoms.
Regular brushing and flossing removes soft plaque that accumulates on the surfaces of your teeth. However, plaque can build up in hard-to-reach areas on your teeth or behind your gums, and harden into tartar. If left untreated, tartar can lead to periodontal (gum) disease and result in uncomfortable symptoms, like swollen gums and a receding gum line.
During your teeth cleaning, we’ll gently remove deposits of plaque and tartar wherever they appear in your mouth. With dental scaling and root planing therapy, we’re able to clean away accumulated bacteria. This also helps make your teeth more resistant to plaque and tartar in the future.
It’s recommended that you visit us for a professional cleaning every six months to ensure that your gums are never exposed to the build up of tartar for extended periods.
At your hygiene appointment, we’ll thoroughly examine your entire mouth and check for the signs of periodontal (gum) disease. We’ll also explain how you can protect the health of your gums.
Gingivitis is the first stage of periodontal disease, a very common condition that is the most straightforward to reverse. It’s always preferable to begin treating the condition early, as more advanced stages of periodontal disease can require more invasive therapies to access tartar deposits deep in the gums.
Some symptoms of periodontal disease include:
- Bleeding Gums
- Receding Gum Line
- Swollen Gums
- Persistent Bad Breath
- Loosened Teeth
- Gum Discoloration
If we identify the signs of periodontal disease, we’ll explain our options to relieve your symptoms and restore the health of your gums. Depending on your condition, we may recommend treatment to efficiently remove bacterial infection and promote healthy gum growth.
Dental sealants are made of a thin shell of transparent plastic used to cover a tooth and prevent bacteria from collecting on the surface. They can help prevent cavities and tooth damage for years after application. Along with their protective advantages, the smooth coating makes teeth easier to keep clean with regular brushing. Dental sealants are an efficient way to avoid cavities and the need for more invasive treatments in the future.
An oral cancer screening is an important preventative measure taken during your routine dental checkup. We’ll perform a visual and physical exam of the tongue, jaw, cheeks, and face to look for signs of oral cancer.
Some symptoms that could indicate oral cancers include:
- Swelling of the soft tissue of the mouth or tongue
- Enlarged areas on the throat or under the chin
- Discolored patches in the mouth, possibly white or red
- Unusual bumps, lumps, or sores
- Difficulty chewing, swallowing, or moving the tongue and jaw
- Tenderness or pain in or around the mouth
If you’ve noticed any of these signs, it’s crucial that you seek immediate care from a dental healthcare professional and report the abnormalities. While often benign, it’s always best to identify abnormalities with certainty. Caught early, oral cancers can be reliably handled with appropriate treatment methods.
Meet All Your Dental Needs at the Alexandria Smile Center
Dr. Moylan and his team at the Alexandria Smile Center provide the highest quality of preventative care to keep your teeth clean, strong, and promote your lasting dental health.
Make sure to schedule a checkup and cleaning every six months for optimal oral hygiene. Contact us today at (318) 545-7606 and give your teeth and gums the quality of care they deserve!