Now that our office is open for non-essential treatments, including preventive dentistry, we can offer our patients checkup and cleaning appointments again. These six-month preventive visits help safeguard smiles from common oral health issues, like tooth decay and gum disease. In today’s blog, your Astoria, NY, dentist discusses the importance of a routine exam and cleaning, and why you should schedule your summer appointment soon.
The Value of a Checkup
A checkup provides an opportunity for our team to watch over your smile throughout the year, keeping an eye on any developing problems so we can address them in the earliest stages. After all, why wait for a cavity to cause toothaches and threaten infection, when we can identify and treat them before you even know you have one? Using digital x-rays and other advanced imaging technologies, we look closely at your teeth, roots, oral structures, and gums for potential signs of trouble, including cavities, infection, gingivitis, and gum disease. We also watch for TMJ disorder and bruxism (teeth grinding), and screen for oral cancer once a year too.
Keeping Your Teeth Clean
Our team will also clean your teeth thoroughly during each visit. A cleaning means we employ an ultrasonic scaling device and a manual tool to break up and remove plaque buildup from the surfaces of your teeth. Removing this buildup helps reduce the risk of tooth decay, gum disease, bad breath, and even discoloration. If you have high risk factors for gum disease, then you may benefit from one every three to four months, and a deep cleaning is a version that also removes buildup from the roots for people with gingivitis and the early stages of gum disease.
Continue Your Care at Home
In between your visits, you can take steps to reduce plaque buildup and help protect the health and function of your smile. For example, each day you should brush your teeth when you wake up and again before bed for about two minutes each session. We also suggest flossing every night before bed. These steps help remove the food particles harmful bacteria feeds on, improving the health and beauty of your smile. Consuming fewer foods and drinks high in sugar also helps! If you have any questions about our approach to preventive dentistry, or if you would like to schedule a visit for an exam and cleaning, then contact our team today.
Do You Have Questions About Preventive Dentistry?
We want to make sure you and your family continue to enjoy optimal oral health with general and preventive care. To learn more about protecting your smile and preserving your oral health, then schedule a consultation by calling Jeffrey Leibowitz, DDS, in Astoria, NY, today at 718-728-8320.
