CLEANINGS
Maintaining a consistently healthy and attractive smile is a lifelong endeavor, and dental needs change at different stages in life. However, regular diagnostic and preventive visits (aka checkups and cleanings) are necessary for everyone, including children past the age of one. Along with brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing daily, checkups and cleanings are the cornerstone of excellent oral health and a crucial part to helping our patients preserve their natural smiles.
DISCOVERY THROUGH EXAMINATION
Regular oral examinations are vital to your continued oral health, much like regular physical exams with your physician are necessary for your overall well-being. An initial examination helps Dr. Wright establish a baseline for your oral health, including any existing issues that may need immediate attention. Digital X-rays and advanced 3D imaging allow for more detailed and precise diagnostic results. Every six months afterward, regular examinations allow Dr. Wright to keep a close eye on developments that might mean trouble if not addressed promptly, including oral cancer.
PREVENTION THROUGH PROFESSIONAL CLEANING
Brushing and flossing eliminate the harmful plaque that constantly accumulates on your teeth before it can calcify into tartar. However, no one is perfect, and when tartar forms from missed spots of plaque, your risks of tooth decay and gum disease increase significantly. In addition to a detailed diagnostic exam, every routine visit also includes professional dental cleaning from a skilled hygienist. Dental cleaning (or prophylaxis) involves carefully and completely removing harmful plaque and tartar to prevent the oral bacteria within them from leading to tooth decay, gum disease, and more.
If you exhibit signs of gingivitis, which means oral bacteria have settled underneath your gums, then Dr. Wright might recommend periodontal cleaning and treatment. Gingivitis is the first stage of progressive gum disease, though if detected and treated early, you may be able to prevent gum disease from developing.
