Dental Exams & Teeth Cleaning in Georgia

Why Should I Get a Dental Exam Every Six Months?

Even if you brush your teeth twice daily and floss at least once, you should still have a dental exam twice a year so your dentist can catch dental diseases early. We know many people don’t always follow this schedule for a variety of reasons. If you call us to schedule an exam, we won’t lecture you about seeing a dentist more often; it's counterproductive. We want you to feel comfortable coming in for an initial exam. After reviewing x-rays of your teeth, our dentist checks your teeth for decay, cracks and chips. If you have existing fillings or crowns, he or she will check to make sure they are not loose. Your dentist will check your bite and for signs you grind your teeth at night. He or she will also look at your gums for any signs of gum disease and perform a quick screening for oral cancer during your dental exam.

Our dentists are not only concerned with finding small problems before they become larger issues. They also care about helping you develop healthy habits that will help you keep your natural teeth for as long as possible. If you’re looking for a dental office for a comprehensive dental exam in Georgia, please call our office and request an appointment. Our goal is to become partners with our patients, helping them to maintain their oral health and attractive smile.

Where Can I Get My Teeth Cleaned and Treatment for Gum Disease?

We offer a full range of dental services at our office. A professional teeth cleaning can remove built-up plaque and tartar, which can help protect your teeth against common dental disease such as decay and gum disease. We suggest you visit our dental hygienist twice a year; most of our patients schedule a cleaning before their routine exam. It takes between 30 and 60 minutes for a dental cleaning depending on the amount of tartar our hygienist has to remove. Once he or she finishes, your teeth will feel very clean and they will look brighter. A polishing removes surface stains and often returns teeth to their natural color if they appeared yellowish. Call our office to set up an appointment for a dental cleaning.

If you need gum disease treatment, we can help with this too. Most people don't realize how common gum disease is; about half of all adults age 30 and older have some form of it according to the CDC. If you have gingivitis, our dentist will suggest a dental cleaning and an antibacterial mouthwash to remove plaque and keep it from building back up. It’s important to seek treatment right away if you notice your gums are red and swollen because it’s possible to reverse gingivitis. Left untreated, gingivitis can lead to periodontal disease, which erodes your gums and then attacks the jawbone unless you seek treatment to halt its progression. If you need periodontal treatment, we offer a variety of treatments that can help save your teeth.

Can Dentists Eliminate Bad Breath?

Do you have bad breath? You can usually tell when people step back slightly when talking to you in close quarters. Friends usually won't tell you unless you specifically ask them about your breath. Most cases of bad breath originate from plaque on your teeth or tongue and bits of food stuck between your teeth. After a professional cleaning, our dentist can help you choose the right mouthwash and other dental hygiene products to help you ensure fresh breath every day. If your problem isn't a lack of proper dental hygiene, our dentist will check for decay or gum disease, which will cause bad breath if they are left untreated. If our dentist can't find a cause for your bad breath, he or she will refer you to your physician as there are several medical problems that will cause bad breath. Call our office for a remedy for bad breath.

How Does a Screening for Oral Cancer Work?

It is important to see a dentist every six months so he or she can perform an oral cancer screening, looking under your tongue, on the roof of your mouth and in every other area of your oral cavity. Your dentist will also feel for lumps. When our dentist does your screening, he or she will explain how you can perform a simple screening at home once a month. If you see anything suspicious in your mouth between appointments, such as thickening skin or sores that don't heal, call our office and request a mouth cancer screening from our dentist. He or she can send a sample of any suspicious tissue to a lab for a diagnosis. Early detection could save your life as treatment can start right away.

We usually start screening patients when they turn 18 or start using tobacco products, whichever comes first.

If you are interested in preventative care, including a screening for oral cancer, call our office to schedule an appointment for a dental exam in Georgia.