We always try to have patients come in for a new patient exam and to set them up so that they can succeed down the road. So when they come in, we tell them what they need kind of, and what their expectations are too, what they want. That’s just as important as what we see.
And so working together, we can come up with a plan for a patient and just set them up for success so we can do our part, but they need to maintain their part too by having good oral care and coming in for their routine visits so that we don’t get behind on the care.
I had a patient tell me once that they did not want to get a procedure done until they read an interview with a man who was well into his 100s and he said the number one thing for longevity is keep your teeth as long as possible. It’s so important systemically. A lot of people don’t put the connection between oral care and their systemic care together. So it’s our job to kind of eliminate things that we see that can potentially cause problems down the road, whether it be systemic, or problems with function, or even aesthetics. That can really affect somebody too.
Safeguard Your Smile With Regular Dental Checkups
To maintain good oral health, we usually advise patients to see us every six months for a checkup. It helps you stay ahead of what can happen to your smile. Plus, you’ll have the chance to discuss your smile goals and any concerns that have come up.
If it’s your first appointment, we’ll take time to get to know you and your oral health history. We can discuss problems you’ve noticed and address any questions or concerns. Next, we’ll get clear images of your mouth with digital X-ray equipment. Your checkup may also include one or more of the following:
- Dental Cleanings and Exams – We’ll remove tartar and plaque buildup from your teeth. Our team uses an ultrasonic cleaner that gives you a thorough cleaning that is more comfortable than traditional methods. Then you’ll get a comprehensive exam. We look for signs of cavities, gum disease, and oral cancer.
- Gum Disease Treatment – If you show symptoms of gum disease, you’ll return for a deep cleaning procedure. It will restore your gum health and eliminate the infection. We will also follow up with an antibacterial solution. You may need more frequent checkups to stay on top of any reoccurring infections.
- Bad Breath and Dry Mouth Treatment – If you have chronic dry mouth or bad breath, we can recommend products that can help. We’ll also check for underlying problems causing these issues. For example, sleep apnea can lead to dry mouth. Gum disease or tooth decay can cause bad breath.
- Preventive Solutions – Your teeth can get extra protection against harmful bacteria that leads to cavities. Our fluoride varnish strengthens your tooth enamel. Dental sealants are applied to the chewing surface of teeth. Commonly used for children, they work well for cavity-prone adults too.
Choosing our practice gives you access to the latest dental technology. For example, we use lasers in many treatments for pain-free solutions to your dental issues. We can create your dental crowns in just one appointment, using our CEREC system. In addition, 3-D technology allows us to get impressions of your teeth without using uncomfortable trays.
Call 563-677-6861 if you need general dentistry in West Union. You can also schedule online.