Cleanings & Exams
It’s really not complicated to enjoy the benefits of healthy teeth, and the reward is a beautiful smile that helps you feel good about the way you look. At George Family Dentistry, we offer services like routine dental exams and cleanings that focus on promoting your oral health. Making appointments for these services on a regular basis is the best way to avoid the chance of experiencing serious oral health problems in the future.
Professional Dental Cleanings
Plaque and tartar collect and sit on your teeth throughout the day. While you can remove some plaque with regular brushing and flossing, getting rid of the tartar requires special instruments used by your dental hygienist. This is the only way to get your teeth as clean and healthy as they can be. The good news is that dental cleanings are easy, and they are the best defense we have against periodontal infection (gum disease).
If we don’t catch gum disease in its early stages, little pockets gradually open up around your teeth. This provides a space for germs to hide and continue to grow, which allows gum disease to progress further. When this happens, the infection will begin to cause serious damage to the tissue and bone that hold your teeth in place. In severe cases, you can even lose a tooth.
It’s important for us to do whatever we can to prevent this from happening because preserving all your teeth for as long as possible is essential for good oral health.
How We Treat Periodontal Disease
The earliest stage of periodontal disease is referred to as gingivitis, and in most cases, it can be treated with a professional dental cleaning and improved oral hygiene practices.
However, if our hygienist finds that gum disease has progressed to the next stage, periodontitis, a deep cleaning will be necessary to eliminate the bacteria and infected tissue. During your deep cleaning, one of our highly skilled hygienists will gently remove plaque, tartar, and harmful bacteria above and below the gum line. During this process, the surface of the tooth is smoothed so affected gum tissue can heal and naturally reattach to the tooth.
Depending on the extent of infection, Dr. George may also prescribe antibiotics and schedule a follow-up deep cleaning. In severe cases, we will refer you to a periodontist for treatment that will prevent tooth loss.
Preventive Treatments Keep Teeth Healthy
As part of your cleaning, we may also recommend one or both of the following procedures:
Fluoride treatments are another effective tool for helping to maintain oral health, and routine exams help us determine if fluoride treatments should be a necessary part of your preventive dental care.
Sealants are a thin coating of protective plastic applied to the chewing surfaces of teeth with deep grooves, like molars. Smoothing over these surfaces makes them easier to clean and reduces the risk of decay.
Unfortunately, it’s all too easy to put off these basic treatments, especially when you’re busy and your teeth feel okay. The problem with waiting is that tooth decay and gum disease can do a lot of damage before you’re even aware that they are present.
Please Contact Us for an Appointment
If it’s time for your next appointment or you’ve fallen a little behind on these routine services, please give us a call. We’re here to support you in your effort to achieve the healthiest, most beautiful smile possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Gum disease (referred to as periodontal disease or gingivitis) is the number one cause of tooth loss today. It’s an infection that causes tooth loss because it affects the gums and bones that hold your teeth in place.
Anyone can get gum disease, which is caused by plaque that’s allowed to sit on the teeth. The plaque needs to be removed every day with brushing and flossing or it will form a harder substance called tartar. In fact, tartar is so hard that it can only be removed by a dental hygienist during a professional dental cleaning.
One of the first symptoms noticed by most people with gum disease is bleeding gums. You may also see other signs that gum disease is present, like red, tender, or puffy gums.
Unfortunately, you may have serious gum disease and not notice any symptoms at all. This is why we strongly recommend routine exams and cleanings. They are the best way to catch gum disease in its early stages before too much damage has been done.
Gum disease doesn’t go away by itself, and you can’t prevent it just by brushing and flossing more, although that’s always a good idea! The only way to prevent gum disease or treat it when it occurs is with routine professional dental cleanings.
Once you’ve had gum disease, you are always at risk for getting it again. Please call George Family Dentistry for an appointment, and we’ll be happy to perform a thorough exam and cleaning to prevent and treat gum disease.
Meet Our Doctor:
Malcolm George DDS
Dr. Malcolm George grew up the small Minnesota town of Milaca. His father was a United Methodist pastor and his mother was a special ed teacher. Dr. George spent a great deal of time in music and the arts, and his family frequently took advantage of the lakes and fields to go camping, fishing, and hunting.
Dr. George attended St. Olaf College where he pursued music as a hobby and science as a vocation. In 1991 he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry with American Chemical Society Certification. He was ...