The value of routine dental care, how periodic visits keep your mouth and “whole self” healthy and happy!
In the Beehive State, we love our sweet treats, no doubt about that! However, all that sugary stuff comes at a price. Sugars and starches, the items we consume, promote the development of bacterial plaque. This destructive film must be removed properly and consistently to prevent it from building up on the teeth and eventually eroding the supportive gums and bone. Once plaque has built up, it hardens into stubborn tartar, which can only be removed by our knowledgeable dental hygienists at Canyon Crossing Dental.
These professional cleanings at our St. George, Utah, area office are fundamental to preventative dental care. When combined with comprehensive oral exams conducted by our experienced dentist, Dr. Susan Baker, these visits are referred to as “dental check-ups.” Here, we provide a glimpse into what to expect from your check-up:
- All patients will visit us for their check-ups at least once every six months or two times per calendar year.
- The above rule of thumb applies to healthy patients. Individuals with risk factors for conditions such as gum disease and oral cancer will visit us more than twice yearly.
- Risk factors for oral conditions include inconsistent oral hygiene or challenges to oral care at home, smoking, and use of tobacco products, and “comorbidities,” for instance, diabetes.
- During your visit, our hygienists will gently and thoroughly remove lingering food particles, bacteria, plaque, tartar, and surface stains from the teeth and gum line.
- Patients with active gum disease may need a “deep clean,” known as scaling and root planing.
- Our friendly and skilled team also provides guidance on techniques to make it easier to effectively brush and floss your teeth.
- Our team can also recommend products tailored to your needs. In some cases, complimentary samples may be provided; for example, floss threaders may be ideal for cleaning hard-to-reach spaces (like underneath a dental bridge).
- Dr. Baker’s examination will assess the condition and function of your teeth, gums, jaws, and other interconnected oral and maxillofacial structures.
- Depending on what she finds, specific or further treatments and services may be recommended.
- Services may include professional preventative procedures and products, such as dental sealants. These coverings are applied to the back teeth. Some 80% of all cavities develop in these teeth because of their locations as well as their grooved and uneven surfaces (foods tend to get caught in pits and fissures).
- Dr. Baker’s comprehensive examinations also involve checking the state of dental work and oral appliances. Worn fillings, for instance, can leak – and lead to reinfection and the need for more invasive restorative work. Additionally, worn nightguards and mouthguards may fail to protect the teeth from injuries and no longer function “as intended.”
- Periodically, patients are screened for oral cancers and pre-cancerous lesions. It is important to discuss any changes you may have noticed since your last check-up, such as frequent sore throats, hoarseness, and earaches. Dr. Baker will also feel by touch for potential trouble signs, like lumps and swelling.
Regardless of your specific needs and recommendations, the preventative care that supports oral health also promotes overall health. You depend on your teeth and gums for many vital functions, including grinding down food and healthy digestion. Furthermore, the bacteria and inflammation associated with oral infections have also been implicated in the development of many systemic problems, from poor blood sugar control to heart disease. If you are due for a check-up or just need to get back on the right track with your routine oral care, call us at (435) 344-4445 to schedule an appointment. We will see you at Canyon Crossing Dental in Ivins, UT, soon!