Dental Hygiene
Routine Dental Checkups
At Breeze Dental we are passionate about preventive care. Routine dental checkups are vital to maintain good oral hygiene and are the best way to detect problems at their earliest stages. Early detection and treatment saves unnecessary discomfort, time and money.
A regular home prevention routine consists of brushing at least twice a day and flossing a least once a day. But did you know there are other tools to make taking care of your mouth easier? Depending on your needs, there are specials toothpaste, rinses, and even flossing aids that can help to keep your smile bright and healthy for years to come. Breeze Dental can help you find the best tools to enhance your daily hygiene routine making your professional cleaning appointment shorter and less stressful.
The Academy of General Dentistry recommends checkups twice a year depending on the conditions of your mouth. Oral hygiene needs change with age and the condition of your teeth and gums. Your dentist may recommend a checkup schedule that is more or less frequent than twice a year.
What to Expect
What does your dental exam involve?
- Cancer screening of your mouth, face, and neck
- Examination of digital radiographs
- A gingival health exam
- Professional cleaning of your teeth
- Examination of existing restorations
Clinical Examination
During a visual exam, your dentist will look not only for cracked and decayed teeth, but also for growths and sores on the roof and floor of your mouth, tongue, lips, gums, and the mucous membranes that line your cheeks and gums. Then your dentist will check the lymph nodes of your head, jaw and neck for pain, tenderness and flexibility.
Digital Diagnostics
- Digital X-rays: Digital X-rays detect dental problems that cannot be found during a visual exam. We use Digital X-rays that provide instant results and emit 90 percent less radiation. Your dentist determines how often you need to have Digital X-rays.
- 3D Imaging: Three-dimensional imaging technology determines the precise position and shape of each tooth. Your dentist will determine whether the use of this technology is appropriate to aid the development of a dental treatment plan or to follow the progress of your dental treatment.
Gingival Pocket Exam
Healthy teeth require healthy gums. A gingival pocket exam determines the presence or risk of gum (periodontal) disease.
What to Know:
- Daily tooth brushing and flossing remove food debris and plaque from the gingival pocket. If not removed, harmful bacteria penetrate the gumline and deepen the pocket.
- As the depth of a gingival pocket increases, so does the risk of tooth damage and infection that leads to gum disease.
- During your exam, a hand-held instrument is gently placed between gums and teeth (sulcus) to measure the depth of each pocket.
- In its earliest stage, gum disease may be reversible. Since it rarely has symptoms of pain, it is possible to have gum disease and not know it.
Professional Cleaning
Your teeth are cleaned using special instruments to remove calculus from above and below the gumline that may develop even with careful brushing and flossing, especially in area that are difficult to reach with normal routine toothbrushing. Afterwards, your teeth are polished. Tooth polishing makes your teeth look and feel great.
The records of our patients’ dental checkups, diagnostics and treatments are kept electronically. Our patients benefit because our dentists and specialists have immediate, comprehensive access to medical histories as well as the results of previous and current exams, diagnostics, treatment plans and progress reports.
The key to healthy teeth and gums is keeping plaque and food decay from building up in your mouth. Plaque and food decay attract harmful bacteria that cause cavities, gum disease and persistent bad breath.
Your tongue attracts bacteria, too. During the normal process of eating, tiny fragments of food collect on your tongue. As these fragments decay, bacteria create a filmy white coating on the top of your tongue.
Practice the four-step routine to keep plaque and harmful bacteria from building up in your mouth.
Easy Four-Step Routine
To keep your teeth and gums healthy:
- Brush your teeth and use an antiseptic mouthwash twice daily (after breakfast and before bedtime)
- Use dental floss daily
- Clean your tongue regularly by using a toothbrush or a tongue scraper
- See your dentist for routine dental checkups
Benefits of Good Hygiene
When you practice good oral hygiene, you will:
- Have less plaque to remove during routine dental checkups, so professional cleanings will be faster and more comfortable
- Minimize your need for dental procedures due to tooth decay or gum disease
- Minimize your annual dental budget
- Feel healthier
- Enjoy fresher breath
- Be more confident about your smile
Infants & Small Children
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that a child’s first visit to the dentist be around age three unless any of these dental health risk factors exist:
- Sleeping with a cup or bottle
- Thumb sucking
- Teeth staining
- Down Syndrome
Children's Oral Hygiene
When your child’s teeth begin to erupt, wipe them daily with a moist washcloth to remove tooth plaque.
As more of your child teeth erupt, use a soft child’s toothbrush with non-fluoride toothpaste (like Baby OraGel) until your child is able to spit out the toothpaste.
When your child is ready to use fluoridated toothpaste, use only a small pea-size amount on the toothbrush.
Here are some first visit tips:
- Take your child for a preview of the office
- Read a book with them about going to the dentist
- Review with them what the dentist will be doing at their first visit
- Speak positively about your own dental visits
- During your first visit the dentist will:
- Examine your mouth, teeth, and gums
- Evaluate adverse habits like thumb sucking
- Check to see if you need fluoride
- Teach about teeth cleaning your teeth and gums
- Suggest a schedule for regular dental visit
NAVIGATION
CONTACT INFO
Phone: (757) 484-1444
Email: info@breezedental.com
Location: 1301 Bridgeport Way,
Suite 109 Suffolk, Virginia 23435
BUSINESS HOURS
Monday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday-Sunday: Closed
© 2024 All Rights Reserved | Breeze Dental
Website designed by: Morningdove