Brushing twice a day and nightly flossing are excellent for maintaining oral health. However, these need to be supplemented with regular visits to the dentist for dental assessment (exam) and cleaning.

Exam

An exam involves

• Evaluation of your TMJ (jaw) joint
• Evaluation of muscles used to chew
• Evaluation of your lymph nodes
• An oral cancer screen: Oral cancer can be treated with minimally invasive treatment if caught early. Even patients without any teeth need to have a regular screen for oral cancer. Certain habits (such as smoking and tobacco use) and a family history puts you at a higher risk for oral cancer.
• Evaluation of teeth for cavities, cracks and infection.
• Evaluation of gum health

Ideally an exam is performed every 6 months. This is the opportunity to catch problems at an early stage before they have an opportunity to cause pain or tooth loss. Early detection usually involves minimally invasive treatment for example fillings without the need for freezing (local anesthetic).

Cleaning

Cleaning/scaling involves the physical removal of calculus or tartar from above and below the gums. Even with diligent brushing and flossing there are several areas where plaque and subsequently tartar/calculus can accumulate. This leads to gum disease such as gingivitis and periodontitis. During your cleaning appointment tartar/calculus will be removed and will provide us with the opportunity to provide the patient with tips on how to access areas that are harder to reach while brushing and flossing. Our hygiene services might also include a recommendation for polish and/or fluoride. Fluoride strengthens teeth and protects it from acid attacks and therefore reduces the risk of developing a cavity. Ideally a patient will return every 6 months for their cleaning/scaling. For patients with significant gum disease cleaning/scaling every 3-4 months might be recommended in an attempt to stabilize the condition.