Do you wonder if routine dental visits are vital? Family dentist in Denton, Ted Dunson II DDS, believes routine check-ups and cleanings keep teeth and gums healthy. Plus, a healthy mouth keeps your entire system strong and disease-free.
The Bacteria in Your Mouth
Your mouth absolutely teams with micro-organisms. Streptococcus mutans attacks your tooth enamel and gums, causing cavities and gum disease–both major causes of tooth loss in kids and adults. While you may be very disciplined about brushing and flossing, no one performs perfect oral hygiene at home. That’s why your dentist in Denton is important.
Your dental hygienist at Southridge Dental, under the supervision of Dr. Dunson, removes the sticky plaque and hard tartar you miss. If it accumulates, this biofilm and its bacteria, corrode tooth enamel, causing cavities.
Additionally, gum tissue becomes inflamed and actually recedes when displaced by plaque and tartar. Gum disease in its worst form, periodontitis, leads to tooth mobility, tooth loss, gum and bone recession, and halitosis, or persistent bad breath.
Even more important, this preventable oral condition leads to diabetes, heart disease, stroke arthritis, memory issues, pregnancy complications and more. The inflammation associated with gum problems seems to damage other bodily processes and major organs, says the American Academy of Periodontology.
Your hygienist gently scales your teeth, removing plaque and tartar from interdental spaces and the gum line. She measures gum pocket depth to assess for periodontitis. Finally, the hygienist polishes tooth surfaces to a gleaming finish.
Your Dental Exam
Your dentist in Denton wishes to examine your mouth semi-annually and take digital x-rays as needed to look for hidden decay and problems with roots, bone and jaw joint. During a preventive dentistry check-up, he also:
- Inspects for tooth decay and gum issues
- Checks how teeth bite together
- Assesses for TMJ (temporomandibular joint) dysfunction and teeth grinding (bruxism)
- Does a fast and pain-free check for oral cancer (highly curable if found early)
- Checks on the integrity of crowns, fillings or other restorations
For kids, and some adults, the doctor may recommend plastic sealants to protect molars from decay and fluoride treatments to strengthen enamel and seal exposed roots against temperature sensitivity.
The Dentist’s Findings
Your dentist explains his findings, answers questions and addresses concerns after he completes his examination. He wants to hear about aesthetic goals–closing a gap, whitening enamel and more. He devises a treatment plan and teaches the patient about hygiene and other dental health matters, such as the use of athletic mouth guards if necessary.
An Ounce of Prevention…
Yes, just a bit of preventive dentistry is worth a pound of cure. The team at Southridge Dental want you and yours to have enduring, beautiful smiles for a lifetime. So, they’d rather see you more often for preventive care than less often for emergencies and complex restorations.
If you and your family need routine cleanings and exams, contact Southridge Dental for appointments convenient to your schedule. Keep teeth, gums and overall health strong!