Cleanings and Exams at Chatswood Dental Associates
Many people wonder why dentists recommend examinations and cleanings every six months—even when people are experiencing no particular dental issues. But the foundation of good oral health is built on a preventive care programme. This regimen includes routine examinations and cleans, both of which can help you maintain a level of oral health that can help you look and feel your best. It should also be paired with an excellent oral care routine at home. If you have a dental health problem, our dentists in can recommend a more customised programme to help.
Why are visits to my dentist so important?
We understand that families are busy. Fitting yet another appointment in an already full schedule can be tough. But to maintain optimal oral health and help ensure you keep your teeth for a lifetime, these visits are crucial.
Your dentist has an opportunity to diagnose tooth decay and other oral issues early. When cavities or gum disease are in their beginning stages, there are often no symptoms. By the time you start to experience pain or discomfort, you might need more invasive—and expensive—dental treatment.
Even with the most diligent home care regimen of brushing and flossing, plaque builds up on teeth. Your toothbrush and dental floss cannot remove all of it and what remains eventually hardens into tartar. The only way to remove calcified buildup is with special dental instruments. If it isn’t cleaned off, it can lead to gum disease and other problems.
Untreated gum disease is one of the leading causes of tooth loss among adults. But the only way to know for sure that your gums are healthy is by scheduling a dental examination. If you put off your dental appointments, gum disease can progress without your knowledge.
More and more studies show a direct correlation between the health of your mouth and that of your body. Oral problems, including gum disease, have been linked to higher incidences of severe health conditions, including heart disease, stroke and cancer.
What happens during a comprehensive dental exam?
Dr Poe or Dr Sridhar may also recommend dental X-rays, especially if you haven’t been to the dentist in a while, or if there are no recent films on file. Digital X-rays provide us with a way to see what is going on below the surface of your teeth and gums, including dental issues that may not be visible to the naked eye. Digital radiographs emit less radiation than predecessors—equivalent to spending a short time outdoors.
Based on our findings, we’ll discuss any areas of concern with you and make recommendations to help boost your oral health as necessary. We also encourage you to ask questions, as we want you to be educated about your oral health. Our dentists always welcome a chat following your dental exam.
How can I help prevent cavities and oral health problems?
The best way to prevent cavities and other oral health problems is to see a dentist for routine exams and cleans. During your visit, we will gently but thoroughly clean your teeth, removing bacteria and hard-to-reach plaque that hardened into tartar. Plaque, tartar and bacteria lead to cavities and promote gum disease (periodontitis).
Gum disease is a severe infection of the periodontal ligaments and tissues that support your teeth and keep them intact within the bone. Treatment is designed to save your smile and prevent further oral health and systematic health issues.
Signs of periodontal disease may include:
- Bad breath or a foul taste in the mouth
- Bleeding gums, especially when cleaning your teeth and flossing
- Red or swollen gums
- Loose or long teeth due to gum recession
A thorough dental clean is good for your oral health—and your teeth should feel excellent following treatment. Your hygienist will also show you proper procedures for brushing and flossing at home, so you can take good care of your teeth between visits.
Other considerations to help prevent cavities and oral health issues include:
- Seeking treatment if you suffer from bruxism (grinding and clenching your teeth)
- Wearing a mouthguard if you play sports
- Avoiding sugary and acidic foods and drinks
- Management of acid reflux disease
If you find oral health problems during my exam, how do you help?
- Tooth-coloured fillings to treat dental cavities
- Root canal therapy to treat a root infection, followed by dental crown placement if necessary
- Extractions for decay, before orthodontics or to take care of troublesome wisdom teeth
- Dental implants, dentures or crowns and bridges to stand in for missing teeth
If you have missing teeth, our dentist recommends timely tooth replacement. If you do not replace your tooth, you risk shifting in your remaining teeth. When teeth drift out of alignment, it can lead to undue wear, cavities, breakage and even future tooth loss.
What if I haven’t been to the dentist in years and my teeth are severely damaged?
It’s nearly impossible to measure all the benefits of a full mouth reconstruction! But if you have severe tooth damage, missing teeth, broken teeth or a smile that makes you uncomfortable, full mouth reconstructions may be the best solution.
For starters, you can finally experience relief from pain or other troubling symptoms. Damaged teeth and jaws that aren’t properly aligned put an exceptional strain on your joints and muscles, which can lead to TMJ pain that radiates down the neck and into the shoulders— and even migraine headaches.
With full mouth reconstruction, you can regain function and once again eat comfortably and speak clearly. When people are troubled by poorly functioning teeth, they tend to stick with soft, overly processed foods because they are easier to chew. This affects your nutrition and your entire well-being. Regaining the ability to eat a balanced diet of fresh, healthy foods, like fruits and vegetables can have an impact on your overall health.
A smile is a vital part of who you are but when it doesn’t look good it can make you feel self-conscious. Many people with broken and damaged teeth try to hide their smiles from their families and friends. If you are covering your smile or avoiding laughter in public, you could be perceived as unfriendly or standoffish, even when that isn’t the least bit true! Attractive, restored teeth can help you smile and laugh with confidence once again.
If you’re interested in full mouth reconstruction, contact us for a consultation. Our dentist will be able to take a look at your specific situation and give you professional insights into what needs to happen to get your smile to where you want it to be. We’d be delighted to help you achieve a smile that you can show off around family and friends!
We Want You to Enjoy Good Oral Health
Are you overdue for your checkup or scale and clean Chatswood? We invite you to make us your dental home!
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* Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.