Dental Exams and Cleanings
Preventing Problems
Before They Start
The health of your teeth and mouth is very important for the well-being of your entire body. While routine brushing and flossing at home are necessary to keep your smile looking its best, visiting our office for a comprehensive exam and preventive maintenance visit is essential.
The American Dental Association recommends that you visit us at a frequency tailored to accommodate your current health status and ensure your teeth stay healthy and your smile remains beautiful.
By routinely seeing Dr. Day for exams and preventive maintenance, you can:
- Prevent tooth decay, gum disease, and bad breath
- Save money by avoiding costly and extensive dental procedures
- Keep your teeth white by reducing staining from food and drinks
- Shorten the time spent in our office
- Have a smile that will last a lifetime
The Exam
During your exam, Dr. Day will thoroughly examine your teeth and gums for signs of tooth decay, gum disease, oral cancer, and other health problems. We may also want to take X-rays or transillumination images to see what is happening beneath the surface of your teeth and gums. These digital X-rays and transillumination images (often coupled with intraoral photos) will help Dr. Day discover dental issues not visible to the naked eye.
Professional Preventive Maintenance Visits
A dental hygienist will begin by reviewing your dental and medical history and obtaining your blood pressure. The hygienist will then perform a periodontal exam to make sure your gums adhere tightly to your teeth, and no periodontal disease or bone loss may be occurring. The dental hygienist will also explore the surface of your teeth to determine if you have any cavities and to examine the quality of existing fillings.
Next, your hygienist will focus on a systematic, predictable solution for dental biofilm management. In our office Guided Biofilm Therapy includes Oral Hygiene Instructions with Philips Sonicare toothbrushes and Airfloss plus patient education and motivation to maintain natural teeth and implants as long as possible. This systematic, predictable solution in a professional prophylaxis in our office uses state of the art AIRFLOW® technologies. For Day Oral Health, the polishing toothpaste is a treatment of the past.
At Day Oral Health we have seen first-hand how the professional grade Philips Sonicare toothbrushes coupled with AIRFLOW® technology is changing the periodontal health of our patients.
The hygienist will floss your teeth and apply fluoride while assisting you with tailored home care recommendations.
Preventive maintenance visits are usually comfortable, but if you have any anxiety about your preventive maintenance visit, be sure to let your hygienist know. She may offer several anti-anxiety and medicament options to ensure your comfort.
If Dr. Day or the hygienist finds tooth decay or gum disease, we will talk to you about the underlying causes, which may include nutrition, eating habits, and brushing or flossing practices. When necessary, we may recommend antibiotics or other dental treatments. If you have treatment questions requiring additional time beyond your appointment, our administrative team will assist you in scheduling additional time to discuss our findings, your treatment options and any questions you may have regarding our findings and recommendations.
If your teeth and gums appear to be healthy, our office will probably recommend that you continue your brushing and flossing routine as usual.