ABOUT YOUR PREVENTIVE HYGIENE APPOINTMENT

Oral Cancer: The Silent Killer

More than 30,000 Americans will receive an oral cancer diagnosis this year. In five years, less than 57% will still be alive. It affects everyone today, not just tobacco users. We don’t have products to prevent oral cancer, but we have advances in dentistry to diagnose the disease in the early stages. We use the Vizilite Plus test to identify cancerous lesions.

Diagnodent: What is it?

The Diagnodent is a laser cavity scanner. It identifies cavities in their earliest stages, when they are small and easy to fix. I will use this to check teeth that have no existing fillings. The FDA has certified it as 100% accurate.

Fluoride Treatments: Not just for children anymore.

As we get older, our gum tissues often times will recede thus causing the root surface of the tooth to become exposed. The root surface is softer than the enamel and decays faster. When the root surface is clean and fluoride is applied, it helps to remineralize the tooth surface and strengthen the teeth to help prevent future tooth decay.

Comprehensive Periodontal Charting: Why is it done?

Your gums are like the collar of a turtleneck sweater around your teeth. Periodontal charting measures the gum pockets to see if the collar is loose, or tight, around your teeth. It is the only accurate way to diagnose the health of your gum tissues. Without measuring these pockets, we can only visually monitor the color and consistency of your gum tissues. It would be like going to your general physician for an annual physical and he doesn’t take your blood pressure. When you hear the numbers, all is okay if the pocket depth is in the range of 1-3, and the gum tissue doesn’t bleed.

Arestin: Fight infection right where it starts

Periodontal disease is the #1 cause of tooth loss in adults. Arestin is an antibiotic that kills the bacteria that cause periodontal disease. If you are diagnosed with periodontal disease, we place Arestin painlessly under the gums in the infected site. This immediately begins the fight against the bacteria and continues for up to 21 days.

Desensitizing Agents: They really work!

I hear from so many patients that they had to give up drinking cold drinks or eating ice cream because of a cold sensitive tooth. Often times, it is due to root exposure that can be corrected by applying a desensitizing agent. It only takes a couple of minutes, is pain-free, and it can last for several months.

Sealants: Why wait until it needs to be drilled?

A sealant is a plastic material applied to the chewing surface of molars and premolars, since this area of these teeth is difficult to clean with brushing, and the highest incidence of decay starts in the molars. Anesthetic and drilling is not necessary for placement of sealants. People of all ages can have sealants to prevent future fillings. They are not just for children.

Halimeter: How confident can I be about my breath?

Many people wonder if their breath is the best it can be for that special someone or that really big meeting. About 80% of bad breath is caused by gases given off by the dead bacteria involved in gum disease, called volatile sulfur compounds. We utilize a Halimeter to measure these compounds and provide an immediate indication of the presence of bad breath.

ClosysII Products: Why do we recommend these products?

The ClosysII products reduce sulfur compounds in your mouth due to the active ingredient, chlorine dioxide, and as a result, your breath will be more pleasant. On a clinical note, the product helps to make your gums less permeable to harmful bacteria.