Preventive dentistry is essential to your oral and overall health in . When used in conjunction with good at-home brushing and flossing habits, regular cleanings and oral exams can help keep your smile beautiful and free from decay. During routine exams with our Northampton dental team, we’ll be able to monitor your oral health and address any minor concerns before they become larger issues. Contact our dental office today to schedule your appointment!
Regular teeth cleanings and hygiene appointments are the foundation of preventive dental care. During your cleaning, we will thoroughly cleanse your teeth and gums, removing any plaque or debris from every surface in your mouth. You’ll even be able reverse minor stains to keep your smile bright and beautiful. We recommend scheduling routine cleanings and exams every six months for most patients.
However, good oral hygiene shouldn’t stop when you leave our office. Keeping up with your at-home brushing and flossing routine is equally as important as attending professional cleanings, and is the best way to keep your teeth and gums healthy. Use a fluoride-rich toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush to brush your teeth at least twice a day for two minutes at a time; and don’t forget to floss! Flossing at least once every day, ideally before going to bed, helps to get rid of food particles, plaque, and bacteria that can’t be removed with brushing alone.
Digital x-rays are safe, quick, and comfortable. Using the latest technology, we can create crisp, high-resolution images of your mouth’s structure, so we can make accurate diagnoses and treatment plans. Digital x-rays use only a fraction of the radiation as traditional film x-rays, so you can rest easy. Most patients receive one or two full sets of x-rays every year, but we may recommend additional imaging in the case of a dental emergency, or if we find an oral health issue that we need to investigate further.
Gum disease is extremely common, and can result in an array of oral health problems if left untreated, even including bone resorption and tooth loss. Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease. It’s also the only stage that can be truly reversed with deep cleanings and good at-home hygiene. If you are diagnosed with gingivitis, it is still possible to regain control of your oral health by staying on top of your regular cleanings, checkups, and at-home care.
More advanced stages of gum disease, called periodontitis, have irreversible effects on your oral health, such as gum recession and bone loss. However, the progression of periodontitis can be stopped in its tracks, even if the effects cannot be reversed, though it requires more advanced and frequent periodontal treatment. Most patients will require deep cleaning sessions every three to four months. Treatments can include deep cleanings, scaling and root planing, and laser therapy, and can help preserve your oral health.
Oral cancer screenings are a part of every preventive visit, and are a quick way to fortify your peace of mind. Through consistent exams, we can catch oral cancer early on, which gives us a better chance at treating it before it spreads. A routine oral cancer screening can even save your life!
Your dentist will examine your gums, tongue, and the rest of the soft tissues in your mouth, keeping an eye out for lesions and other abnormalities like lumps and discolorations. If there is anything that concerns us, we may recommend getting a biopsy, which will be analyzed by a specialist to determine the cause of the abnormality. Regular oral cancer screenings allow us to identify any potential problems before they become major issues.
Unconscious teeth grinding and clenching, known as bruxism, is a common issue that tends to happen at night while patients are asleep. However, night guards can help patients alleviate symptoms of bruxism by creating a barrier between your teeth that protects them from grinding-related damage. Depending on the severity of the case, night guards can be made from several different materials with varying degrees of softness.
To get fitted for a night guard, you will receive impressions or digital scans of your teeth and gums that we will use to custom-craft a mold that will then be sent to the lab. Your night guard will be created to match your exact specifications and measurements for a perfect fit. Night guards ease tension in your jaw, alleviating the painful headaches and preventing dental damage caused by clenching and grinding. Night guards can keep your smile healthy and help you get the restful sleep you need.
Brushing is an integral part of keeping up with your oral health, and proper technique makes it even more effective. We recommend that you brush your teeth at least twice a day for two minutes at a time. Be sure to hold your brush at a 45-degree angle and, using small, circular strokes, clean the front, back, and chewing surfaces of each tooth, spending about 30 seconds on each quadrant of your mouth. Use an ADA-approved toothpaste that is rich in fluoride, and replace your toothbrush or electric toothbrush head every 3-4 months, or when the bristles begin fraying or looking worn.
Daily flossing is just as essential as daily brushing when it comes to keeping up with your oral health. Flossing is easy once you know the proper technique, and can dislodge plaque, bacteria, and food particles that you can’t reach with a toothbrush alone, and is the best way to keep gum disease at bay.
To properly floss, gather about 24 inches of dental floss, and wind most of it around an index or middle finger. Wrap the remaining few inches around the index finger of your other hand, keeping about 1-inch of floss taut between your hands. Gently glide the floss between your teeth, being careful not to force it, as it can slip and damage your gums. If you’re having trouble getting the floss between your teeth, try a gentle side-to-side rocking motion instead. Once the floss is between your teeth, follow the c-shaped curve of the tooth and slide it into the gum line, and repeat for both sides of every tooth. Also, be sure to wind a new 1-inch section of floss between teeth to help prevent the spread of bacteria.
Prophylactic cleanings, also called preventive or “regular” cleanings, are performed during your routine dental appointments. They should be scheduled every 6 months, and are essential in helping to prevent decay, gum disease, and to keep your breath fresh. During these cleanings, we’ll remove any plaque, tartar, or bacterial buildup and floss between your teeth to ensure your continued oral health.
Periodontal cleanings, sometimes referred to as “deep cleanings,” are for patients with periodontal, or gum, disease. These cleaning sessions are more thorough, and are aimed at halting the progression of gum disease. Your dentist or hygienist will scrape away any plaque or tartar buildup from between your teeth and below the gum line. They may also carefully smooth out the roots of your teeth, to eliminate pockets that trap bacteria and allow gum disease to flourish.
Most dental insurance policies fully cover routine preventive care like cleanings, exams, and x-rays. However, some plans may only partially cover preventive dental care. Certain policies may even cover optional treatments, like dental sealants and fluoride treatments. The best way to find out what your plan covers is to review your policy or get in touch with your provider for specific details. Or, you can give us a call today at (413) 387-4585 to speak with one of our friendly team members to see how we can help you maximize your benefits.