ROUTINE DENTAL CLEANINGS EVERY SIX MONTHS AT MODERN DENTIST OF PORT ST. LUCIE.

There isn’t a one size fits all when it comes to your professional dental cleaning. Some people have naturally healthy gums and take care to come in as often as their hygienists recommends. These individuals normally would receive a healthy mouth cleaning or a prophylaxis. Whereas, if someone visits the office infrequently and has history of bleeding gums, they will need a different type of cleaning. If caught early bleeding gums can be caused by gingivitis, leading the patient to need a scaling in the presence of gingivitis. But unfortunately, if a patient waits too long, the infection can be periodontitis and the only way to start controlling the bleeding is with a non-surgical periodontal treatment or deep cleaning. Schedule with our hygienists to get your teeth and gums health checked.

Healthy mouth cleaning

Better known as a prophylaxis or prophy, a healthy mouth cleaning is completed when there is little to no bleeding when the gums are checked. A prophylaxis is a preventive treatment to maintain the health of the gums. Most patients diagnosed with a healthy mouth cleaning are recommended to see their hygienist 2 to 3 times a year.

Scaling in the presence of gingivitis

Great news if you have been diagnosed with needing a scaling in the presence of gingivitis, you can return to a healthy mouth cleaning with some help. Gingivitis is the inflammation and infection of the gum tissue, basically a tissue issue. At this visit all the bacteria will be removed and a rinse to help healing will be given. Intensive homecare instructions with by given as to how offer you should be brushing and flossing. Four to six weeks later you will return, the gums will be checked and as long as everything is looking better, you will receive a healthy mouth cleaning with the ever-loved polishing.

Non-Surgical Periodontal Therapy

Unfortunately, if you’ve been diagnosed with needing a deeper cleaning or non-surgical periodontal treatment, that should be the only type of cleaning you will receive. Periodontal disease affects over 70% of Americans, the bleeding and loss of bone can lead to you losing teeth. Periodontal disease is linked to systemic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer’s, and high blood pressure. The bacteria that causes periodontal disease has been found in the heart and the brain, as it travels via the blood stream. A deep cleaning can be completed in one to two appointments. Most of the time one side of the mouth is treated at a time. We make our patients comfortable by numbing the tissue. This gives your hygienist that ability to clean deep down into the pocket, removing bacteria and buildup. The hard buildup or tartar that is in these pockets cannot be removed with improved homecare, only the hygienist can get it off. After all the bacteria is removed, the dentist might diagnose a localized antibiotic placed in the pocket. If you are a candidate, the hygienist will place the antibiotic right into the affected gum sites. These antibiotics work perfect for reducing the bacteria in the mouth and aiding with the healing of the tissue. After all areas are completed, you will return in six to eight weeks for a checkup, if everything has improved you will receive your first periodontal maintenance cleaning, will the ever-loved polishing. If there are areas of concern, we might recommend retreating with an antibiotic or referring to a periodontal specialist.  We recommend maintaining your gums and bone with cleanings every 3 to 4 months. We maintain the gums and bone with periodontal maintenance cleanings as it allows us access to maintain the deeper cleaning results as a prophylaxis doesn’t allow us to maintain your health.

EFFICIENT DENTAL EXAMS AND X-RAYS BIANNUALLY BY OUR DENTIST IN Port St. Lucie

Routine dental exams are important to maintaining healthy teeth and gums. Additionally, they can help to avoid the financial costs associated with large treatment plans later on. The Academy of General Dentistry recommends twice yearly checkups for people of all ages. At this frequency, most problems can be caught while they remain in an early stage.

How it’s done
The dentist first examines your mouth visually, using dental equipment such as mouth mirrors, assorted dental tools, and high intensity lights. They will look for cracked and decayed teeth, as well as review other important items such as:

• Medical history: The dentist will assess how any new medical conditions or illnesses may affect your dental health.
• Examination of tooth decay: Your mouth will be checked for cracked or decayed teeth.
• Oral cancer screening: The face, neck, lips, tongue, throat, tissues, and gums will be checked for any signs of oral cancer.
• Gum disease evaluation: Your gums and bone around the teeth will be checked for any evidence of periodontal disease.
• Examination of existing restorations: Current fillings, crowns, and other restorations are made sure to be in good order.

Additionally, your dentist will take diagnostic x-rays to reveal any other hidden problems, especially in the areas below the gums. Bitewing x-rays are typically taken every 12 months and a panographic x-ray, which revolves around the head, is taken every 3-5 years.