Idaho Falls Dental Exam & Cleaning
We’ve all thought, “Why do I need to go to the dentist? Nothing is bothering me,” before, right? Well, do you ever get the oil changed in your car? Seeing your Idaho Falls dentist regularly for an exam or checkup is a great idea, just like regularly changing the oil in your car. It’s all about prevention!
Most dental problems are preventable with regular home care and professional dental cleanings and exams. Problems such as periodontal disease can be prevented when calculus and tartar buildup around tooth surfaces and disease-causing bacteria are removed by a professional hygienist. Periodontal disease has been linked to heart disease, diabetes, complications with pregnancy, and other diseases, which makes prevention extremely important.
Other Idaho Falls dental procedures, like fillings, are much easier for you (and less expensive!) when they are treated before they get larger.
The answer to this question depends on you. How much calcium does your body build up? Do you know your genetic predisposition to decay or gum disease? Have you had any trauma in your mouth? As a biocompatible and holistic dental office in Idaho Falls, we realize that every patient is utterly unique and will need a specialized care schedule based on many different factors. However, as a general guideline, studies have shown that:
EVERY 6 MONTHS is adequate for patients with un-restored, un-crowded teeth with no susceptibility to gum disease and low risk of decay.
EVERY 3-4 MONTHS is recommended for patients with active periodontal (or “gum”) disease, excessive dry mouth, high risk of decay, or those under orthodontic care.
Your regular exam may take anywhere from 15 to 40 minutes. During the exam, Dr. Baker will review any x-rays and check your teeth for cavities or fractures. He will also check any existing dental work for problems like broken or missing fillings, look at your gums and other tissues for periodontal disease, and do a thorough oral cancer screening. Afterward, Dr. Baker will review his findings with you and give his recommendations for treatment, if necessary. You will also have a chance to ask questions about treatment or other concerns.
This question also depends on your individual circumstances. A hygiene appointment for a healthy mouth will usually take 20-30 minutes. One of our hygienists will review your health history, take necessary x-rays, assess your teeth and gums, discuss the health of your mouth, and thoroughly clean and polish your teeth. Your hygienist will be able to give you pointers for making homecare easier and more effective, and help determine what maintenance schedule is most appropriate for you to help accomplish your dental health and overall health goals.
If the hygienist finds excessive buildup or signs of infection or disease (periodontal disease), multiple appointments or a referral to a periodontal specialist may be recommended.
Dental Exams and Cleanings from Your Idaho Falls Dentist at Wellness BioDentistry
We get it – almost no one likes seeing the dentist. Even if it’s for a routine exam and a simple cleaning. That said, regularly seeing your dentist will pay off massively in the long term.
Most people don’t brush and floss as often as they should. What’s more, when they do brush, they don’t brush well enough. How many of us can say we brush our teeth twice a day, for two minutes, hitting all key areas of the mouth, with the correct pressure and motions? How many less can say we also floss twice a day as well?
Over time, plaque builds up in hard-to-reach areas of the mouth and works its magic – that magic being the erosion of the various layers of the teeth due to its acidic nature. It works like this:
- Plaque attacks the enamel, the protective outer layer of the tooth
- It then moves to the dentin, the hard, bony part of the tooth
- It begins to wear a hole in the dentin, causing a cavity (at this point, things start to hurt)
- It makes its way into the tooth pulp, the soft tissue underneath the dentin that contains the tooth nerve, and creates an infection (at this point, things really start to hurt)
- An inflamed pocket of pus appears near the tooth nerve, usually at the gumline
Ultimately, the tooth dies. In fact, far worse can happen. Dental decay has been associated with problems as extreme as heart attack and stroke!
Your Idaho Falls dentist as Wellness BioDentistry can stop this process before it gets worse. Dental cleanings are often all it takes to prevent a cavity, and from there, more serious problems.