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Patients schedule appointments for a variety of reasons including anything from a routine hygiene cleaning to a toothache. It’s important to listen to your body and never ignore or put off any signs that something is not right in your mouth. Put your health first and make the appointment – the sooner a problem is detected the better and it could save you in the long run.
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Here are 12 reasons you need to see a dentist:
1) You experience pain or swelling in mouth, face or neck
2) You have inflamed gums or a history of gum disease
3) You are not proud of your smile
4) Your dental history includes fillings, crowns, bridges – this work needs to be monitored.
5) You have ongoing medical issues such as diabetes, eating disorders, cardiovascular disease or HIV positive.
6) You are pregnant – it is safe to still go to the dentist.
7) You have difficulty eating and chewing and avoid eating certain foods.
8) You suffer from dry mouth
9) You use tobacco of any form
10) You experience jaw pain
11) You notice mouth sores or spots or have been diagnosed with oral cancer.
12) Your teeth are healthy – it’s important to maintain your twice a year checkups and hygiene cleanings.
It’s the new year! Happy 2018! Is getting a dental hygiene cleaning on your list of resolutions? Why do people procrastinate on scheduling cleanings? Cleanings are one of the best things you can do to stay healthy! If you have dental insurance benefits, most policies cover your hygiene cleanings — so it’s time for you to get your teeth cleaned! Prevention is less expensive than extensive dental work.
Frankel Dentistry sees patients every 3, 4, or 6 months. Patients may start at four visits per year and graduate to twice a year. Folks with health complications such as diabetes find more frequent visits very helpful. Some patients keep their smile in-check by maintaining their 3 month re-care, others do well visiting twice a year.
Here are a few of the Benefits of Getting Routine Hygiene Cleanings:
1) Professional cleanings remove plaque and calicified build-up.
2) Less plaque = less cavities
3) Less plaque = lower risk of gum disease
4) Regular cleanings help lower your risk of some diseases such as heart disease – early signs of these diseases can be detected in your mouth.
5) Less plaque = lower risk for needing extensive dental treatment such as a root canal, filling or crown, which saves you money
6) Frequent visits include instructions to keep your at-home cleanings fine tuned.
It’s still important to take care of your mouth at home and maintain strong oral health habits. Schedule a professional cleaning and oral exam. If you would like Frankel Dentistry’s Insurance Benefit Coordinator will check with your insurance to see what is covered.
Put your health first this year and make the appointment!
The connection between a healthy body and a healthy mouth has been well established. Heart disease, stroke, diabetes, low birth weights in babies, miscarriages even pancreatic cancer and Alzheimer’s disease have been linked to the heath of your mouth.
The first person you see at your regularly scheduled dental visit is usually a Registered Dental Hygienist. The dental hygienist is often associated with “just a cleaning”. Whether a periodontal patient on a schedule of every three months or a routine patient on a six month recare schedule check for more. Your hygienist is on a mission to gather data.
Top Five Screenings done by your Dental Hygienist
Health History Review
Changes in your medical history can dramatically change your oral health. Medications can cause dry mouth or lower your immune response to the bacteria that normally forms on your teeth. Additional aids such as natural healing gels or even at home fluoride treatments may be indicated. Sleep apnea and snoring can be treated with an oral appliance. Asthma treatments may also cause complications in the mouth. There are endless associations. Let your hygienist and doctor know every change or new medication you are taking even over-the-counter remedies such as aspirin, health supplements and vitamins. Include the dosage. It makes a difference.
Yes, your hygienist should be pulling your tongue. Checking the lymph nodes and muscles around the face and neck area, checking all the areas in the mouth including the lips, throat, sides, back and under the tongue are important diagnostic check points. Oral cancer rates have not dropped and early detection is key. The Oral Cancer Foundation, http://oralcancerfoundation.org, notes one person per hour, 24 hours per day dies in the US from Oral Cancer. These statistics can be lowered with earlier detection, diagnosis and treatment.
Restorative Screening
Taking digital radiographs or scans, using an intra-oral camera, the diagnodent (decay detecting device) and through a tactile and visual scan your hygienist checks for areas of disease, wear and decay. The condition of existing restorations will be noted along with any changes in previously restored teeth or in the way your teeth bite together. During the use of an intra-oral camera often the patient begins to point out areas of concern by themselves.
Periodontal Screening
The soft tissue survey includes checking digital radiographs and scans for bone loss, cysts, tumors and a constricted airway. The space between the gum tissue and the teeth will be measured and recorded in a process called periodontal charting (1-3 mm is considered within normal limits anything deeper simply can not be cleaned properly with a toothbrush or floss). The hygienist notes areas where bleeding occurs. Healthy gums do not bleed at all. Collection of information regarding the color and consistency of the gum tissue, recession of the gum tissue or mobility of the teeth completes the data collection.
