Regular dental checkups and cleanings are an important step in the process of maintaining healthy teeth and gums. If you currently have problems when you brush or floss your teeth, which may include bleeding or discomfort, you may have cavities, tooth decay, gingivitis, or an infection. Ignoring a problem can result in more serious medical issues that may require painful and expensive dental surgery in the future. Therefore, the best route is to schedule your preventive dentistry appointments with us on a regular basis.

Dental Exam & Cleanings

What can I expect during a dental exam and cleaning?    

Diagnostic x-ray: X-rays give our Hygienist and Doctor an eye inside your teeth and gums to detect any sign of decay, tumors, cysts, and/or bone loss.  X-rays also help determine tooth and root positions.  

Oral cancer screening: During your check-up you will be screened for signs of oral cancer.  

Gum disease evaluation: Our Hygienist will check your gums and bone around your teeth for any signs of periodontal disease. Many Hygienists will give each tooth/gums a number depending on the health of that area to determine if disease is present.

Examination of tooth decay: All teeth are checked for decay.  

Examination of existing restorations: If you have any prior work done our Hygienist and Doctor will check the condition of current fillings, crowns, etc.  

Removal of plaque and tartar: Plaque is a film on teeth that is full of bacteria, food and saliva which can cause periodontal disease, whereas tartar is hardened plaque that is attached to the tooth above or below the gum line.  

Polishing: Our Hygienist will remove stains and plaque by polishing the tooth’s surface.

Fluoride Treatment

Fluoride is a mineral that is naturally occurring in many foods and water and is applied to teeth to help prevent tooth decay.  Every day, minerals are added and stripped away from your tooth’s enamel through two processes, demineralization and remineralization. Minerals are lost (demineralization) the enamel layer when acids (bacteria and sugars) attack the enamel. Minerals such as fluoride, calcium, and phosphate are redeposited (remineralization) to the enamel layer by the foods and water we consume. Too much demineralization without enough remineralization leads to tooth decay.  

Fluoride helps prevent tooth decay by making the tooth more resistant to acid attacks. In children under 6 years of age, fluoride is incorporated into the development of permanent teeth, making it difficult for acids to demineralize the teeth. As important as fluoride is, it will not alone prevent tooth decay.

Sealants

Sealants; a thin, plastic coating applied to the chewing surfaces of the teeth, usually the molars and premolars are designed to help prevent tooth decay. They form a protective shield or barrier over those hard to clean areas that are most prone to tooth decay. Once applied, when combined with proper brushing and flossing, they can help protect your teeth for many years but will need to be checked at your regular dental visits. 

At Dentistry by Design our recommendations for sealants are:  

Children and teenagers – As soon as the molars and premolars come in. This will help protect those teeth throughout the most cavity-prone years. 

Adults – When tooth surfaces have deep groves or when conditions exist which may make older adults more prone to tooth decay. 

Baby teeth – On occasion when teeth have deep groves and may become more prone to tooth decay.

Ask our dentist or hygienist at your next visit if sealants are right for you or your child.

X-Rays

Why are x-rays important? 

X-rays allow the dentist and hygienists to get a behind the scenes look at what is going on inside your mouth and gums. This allows us the ability to identify problem areas that are not detectable by the naked human eye alone.  

Important things the x-ray picks up are:  

• Abscesses or cysts. 

• Bone loss. 

• Cancerous and non-cancerous tumors. 

• Decay. 

• Developmental abnormalities. 

• Poor tooth and root positions. 

• Problems inside a tooth or below the gum line. 

Are Dental x-rays safe?  

Today’s dental x-rays require very low levels of radiation exposure compared to medical x-rays and dental x-rays of years ago. The radiation exposure is lower than what you would receive after spending the afternoon in the sun. Digital x-rays, which we use at Dentistry by Design reduces this exposure even further. And of course, just to take an extra precaution we use lead aprons for your protection.  

How often should dental x-rays be taken?  

At Dentistry by Design we assess each patient on an individual basis based on their age, risk for disease and signs and symptoms of oral disease when deciding if an X-ray is needed and what type. We also use dental X-rays within the guidelines set by the American Dental Association. The intervals range from 6 months to every 5 years based on those factors.

Home Care

Healthy teeth and gums for a lifetime is our goal at Dentistry by Design and it should be yours too. Home care plays a huge role in achieving this and it starts by eating balanced meals low in sugar, and correctly brushing and flossing to eliminate the presence of plaque in the mouth.  

Our Hygienists recommend flossing prior to brushing to loosen any food particles from the gums so they can then be brushed and rinsed away in the brushing process.  If you prefer to floss post brushing make sure to rinse your mouth with water to remove the debris so it doesn’t remain in the mouth.

Flossing – Recommended to do daily to clean between the teeth and under the gumline.  It not only helps clean these spaces, it also does not give plaque an opportunity to build up, preventing damage to the gums, teeth, and bone.  

1. Take 18 inches of dental floss and wrap it around your middle fingers, leaving about 2 inches of floss between the hands.  

2. Using your thumbs and forefingers to guide the floss, gently insert the floss between teeth using a zigzag motion.  

3. Curve the floss into a “C” shape around each tooth and under the gumline.  Gently move the floss up and down, cleaning the side of each tooth.

Brushing – Brush your teeth at least twice a day (especially before going to bed at night).  

1. Place the brush at a 45 degree angle to the gums and gently brush using a small, circular motion, ensuring that you always feel the bristles on the gums.  

2. Brush all surfaces of each tooth. 

3. Use the tip of the brush to clean the inside of the front teeth.  

4. Always brush your tongue to remove bacteria.  

Soft bristle brushes are recommended by the ADA as well as electric toothbrushes.

Rinsing – If you are unable to brush throughout the day a good rinse with water or mouthwash will help remove some bacteria and debris until you are able to brush with toothpaste.

Dental restorations become necessary when the natural tooth structure becomes compromised. This can happen as a result of tooth decay, injury, or when the replacement of current dental restorations is required. Dentistry by Design offers a variety of restorative options including composite (tooth-colored) fillings, crowns, bridges, root canal therapy, and dental implants.