At our patients’ biannual visit to our office, our patients can expect some questions about their overall health, an examination of the oral cavity, and a cleaning. Cleanings are used to support the brushing patients do at home. Plaque can build-up into tartar, which can only be removed by an oral professional. My Dentist Friend offers cleanings as a way to support a patient’s oral health and to prevent the development of complications.
book onlineWhat Can I Expect From a Routine Cleaning?
When a patient comes into the office for a checkup, the patient will have a routine cleaning, professionally known as a prophylaxis. Using a small mirror and tongue depressor, our Dentists will thoroughly clean the mouth and ensure it remains healthy until the next visit. This cleaning is suitable for patients who have good oral health. Patients who suffer from oral complications will have to have other cleanings when they come into our office. First, a scaler is used to remove plaque and tartar that has built up on the teeth’s enamel. Usually, our Hygienist will find it on places that are difficult to brush, such as in between the teeth, or where plaque is liable to build up, like the gumlines. This is an opportunity for our Dentists to teach our patients how to take better care of their oral health, as they will be able to see where oral care has been neglected. Then, a high-powered electric toothbrush is used to remove built-up plaque and tartar from the patients’ teeth. This toothbrush will be more powerful than the one patients have at home and should only be used every 6 months. Otherwise the patients risk damaging their teeth. The brushing is then followed by a professional flossing and a fluoride rinse. The final step is a fluoride treatment, which is placed on the teeth in order to protect them until the next biannual professional cleaning.
What Other Types of Cleanings Are There?
When a patient has not visited our office in some time, then the patient will need a more intense form of cleaning called gross debridement. The reason a patient would need a different type of treatment, compared to a routine cleaning, is because the plaque on the patient’s teeth will have hardened, and therefore will require a more intense cleaning. Scaling and root planing is used on those who suffer from periodontitis, a form of gum disease which is incurable. Scaling and root planing are used to discourage the escalation of gum disease in a patient’s mouth and to help ensure the upkeep of good oral health. The gums are smoothed to prevent bacterial growth, and all plaque and tartar are removed thoroughly. This usually takes longer than a normal cleaning, depending on the severity of the condition. You should not worry if it has been some time since your last dental exam with our team. My Dentist Friend is accommodating and can help maintain your oral health with professional cleanings and advice for home brushing. Book an appointment with our office now at 856-484-4114.
Dental Exam
Check-ups and exams are the main points of contact between our patients and our Dentists. Patients may book an appointment due to an oral complication or because they are due for a check-up. In either case, there will be some form of examination to ensure the oral cavity is in a healthy condition. Exams ensure that our patients’ oral cavities are healthy. My Dentist Friend uses exams for ensuring that a patient’s oral health is in good condition. Our professionals also perform exams before any procedure our team performs.
book onlineWhat Happens During an Exam?
Exams are used for many different reasons and differ slightly depending on their application. Normally, a patient will have an examination every time they have a checkup. Such an exam consists of a cleaning, followed by a visual examination. The cleaning prepares the patient’s mouth for the examination and also removes tartar and plaque which cannot be removed at home. This will be done with a high-powered electric toothbrush. The patient will also be given some fluoride treatment to protect their teeth until their next check-up. The examination itself will be a thorough assessment and examination of the oral cavity, which will be done with a mirror, light, and a tongue depressor. They will check the teeth, gums, tongue, roof of the mouth, the top of the throat, and the glands. They will ask the patient questions about the patient’s oral health and lifestyle choices, such as whether or not the patient drinks heavily or smokes.
After the Exam
Our Dentists may give the patient some advice on brushing and flossing if they see particular areas of the patient’s mouth that have been neglected. They may advise the use of interdental brushes to properly clean between the teeth. The exam may trigger some form of treatment, such as the need for braces, particularly if the patient is in early adolescence. Again, this is a natural part of development, and seeking out this treatment for teeth realignment is advised. The exam may reveal some underlying oral issue that needs to be resolved, in which case our Dentists will prescribe the necessary medication, or schedule an appointment for further treatment. They will give the patient all the necessary information the patient needs. Our Dentists will then tell the patient when it is best to come visit our office again. This is usually every six months, which is the standard time between appointments. Patients having frequent treatments, such as periodontal maintenance, will need to make appointments more often.
My Dentist Friend uses exams as an important way to gain initial information about a patient’s oral health. They are a vital part of our daily procedures. To book an appointment now, call our office at 856-484-4114.
As our patients get older, it becomes increasingly important to check for indications of cancer. Oral cancer screenings act as a precautionary measure for investigating any signs of oral cancer and to trigger treatment if necessary. It is also important for young adults, who should also be having oral cancer screenings, albeit less frequently. The sooner a malignant tumor is identified, the higher the patient’s chances are of successfully recovering from oral cancer. My Dentist Friend performs oral cancer screenings for our patients during regular appointments, or if an oral cancer screening is requested.
book onlineOral Cancer Screening
What Happens During an Oral Cancer Screening?
An oral cancer screening is both a visual and physical observation of the oral cavity and the surrounding areas of the face. Sometimes, indications of oral cancer can appear under the chin, or even around the nose, so our patients should not be surprised if our Dentists checks these areas. The most obvious sign of oral cancer is a lump, although not all lumps are indicative of oral cancer, and most lumps are usually benign. It is, however, always important to have these lumps checked to ensure they are benign. The screening can be completed in as little as 2 minutes.
The exam is only an examination of the face, mouth, lips, chin, cheeks, nose, and gums to look for any signs of oral cancer. The only additional equipment our Dentists may use is a VELscope, which helps differentiate healthy tissue from unhealthy tissues, or some oral dye, which can, again, indicate abnormalities in the oral cavity. After the screening, our patients can talk to our Dentists about any worries they have concerning their oral or physical health, and our team will be able to advise our patients on how to keep themselves healthy, including proper brushing and cleaning techniques. If there are no indications of oral cancer, then the patient will have another oral cancer screening in 3 years for patients over 20, and every year for patients above 40. If a lump has been found, and it cannot be conclusively determined to be a benign lump, then the next step is to have an ultrasound.
How can I Reduce my Chances of Developing Oral Cancer?
Being aware of any family history related to oral cancer and relaying this to our Dentists is important. Keeping fit and healthy by doing regular exercise, and maintaining a regular, balanced diet are two important aspects of general health. Refraining from smoking and from excessive drinking will drastically reduce the chances of contracting oral cancer. Avoiding chewing tobacco will also greatly reduce the odds of developing oral cancer. Brushing twice a day for two minutes and flossing daily will help our patients’ oral health.
My Dentist Friend can perform oral cancer screenings during your biannual check-up or upon request. The sooner you have a lump screened, the better your chances are of beating the cancer. We offer screenings to trigger early treatment. To book a screening now, call our office at 856-484-4114.