Dental Exams & Teeth Cleaning in Norcross

Do You Need to See a Dentist for a Dental Exam in Norcross?

Getting regular exams is just as important to your oral health as brushing twice daily and flossing. It’s natural to feel a little anxious about a dental exam if you haven’t had one in a while. We will do our best to put you at ease. Our mission is to make a routine exam a pleasant experience, so you will come back every six months. Before your exam, we’ll ask about your medical history and whether you take any medications. Also, your dentist will order x-rays to help catch decay not visible to the naked eye. When you have your exam, our dentist will check for signs of:

• Decay
• Fractured or chipped teeth
• Loose teeth
• Loose fillings or crowns
• Gum disease
• Oral cancer

If you wear dentures or a retainer, your dentist will make sure your appliance still fits properly. Our goal is to catch small problems before they become painful, expensive problems. Your dentist will talk to you about the results of your dental exam and answer any questions you may have. We offer a full range of treatments and procedures if you need any work. If you need a routine exam, phone our office to make an appointment. We look forward to welcoming you to our practice.

Who Offers Dental Cleanings and Treatments for Gum Disease?

A good daily hygiene regimen is important and dentists who practice preventative care emphasize this, but at-home care isn’t enough. The American Dental Association suggests that individuals have a teeth cleaning every six months to supplement their efforts because there are too many hard-to-reach areas in the mouth. It is essential to have a dental hygienist scrape away tartar, or solidified plaque, because the bacteria in it will cause bad breath, decay and gingivitis. Your hygienist will also polish your teeth with a mildly abrasive paste, making them feel as clean as they look. Afterward, your hygienist will floss your teeth and go over his or her recommendations to improve your dental hygiene routine. If you are prone to decay, ask about a fluoride treatment, which can protect your teeth for several months.

When your gums are a bright red color and bleed easily, you might have gingivitis. It can usually be reversed with gum disease treatment consisting of a dental cleaning and a change in your oral hygiene habits. Without treatment, gingivitis can turn into periodontal (advanced gum) disease. You may notice that your teeth look longer because your gums are pulling away from your teeth. Without periodontal treatment, your teeth will become loose because infection is attacking the gum and bone holding them in place. Periodontal disease is the leading cause of adult tooth loss.

Can a Dentist Help Me with Continual Bad Breath?

Do you have offensive breath? You might notice people stepping back slightly when talking to you in close quarters. You may have halitosis, or chronic bad breath, which isn’t always related to food you’ve recently eaten. While a number of toothpastes, mouthwashes and other products promise to leave your breath fresh, they only offer temporary relief. Over-the-counter products cannot offer a cure for bad breath because they don’t address the cause. Food particles left between your teeth can rot, causing unpleasant odors. Make an appointment to see our dentist and he or she can help you start a dental hygiene routine that will leave your breath fresh and pleasant. Your dentist may recommend a professional cleaning to have you start your new routine with perfectly clean teeth. He or she will also look for dental problems, such as decay and gum disease, that can cause foul-smelling breath. Your dentist will also look for loose fillings which can trap plaque where your toothbrush cannot reach. Call us today to schedule your appointment.

Why Do I Have to Get an Oral Cancer Screening Every Time I Visit My Dentist?

The reason you have a mouth cancer screening is that early detection can save your life. It’s possible to cure oral cancer if it is caught and treated in its earliest stage. A high number of people will receive an oral cancer diagnosis this year, and the sad news is that many of them were not diagnosed until the cancer was in its later stage. The screening takes less than five minutes and your dentist is already examining your mouth, so he or she can easily look for any signs of early-stage oral cancer. You won’t have any pain when mouth cancer is in the earliest stages, so without a screening, you might never know you have the disease until it is too late. It’s another very good reason to have a routine dental check-up every six months.

To make an appointment for a dental exam in Norcross with a screening for oral cancer, please call our office at (678) 274-6981.