Protect Your Oral Health

A healthy mouth starts at home with daily brushing and flossing. The next step is the professional care provided by your dentist and hygienist. Regular dental checkups are critical to good oral hygiene. These cleanings and exams are the best way diagnose dental disease before it becomes a major problem. Early detection and treatment can save you and your family unnecessary pain and expense in the long run.

Professional Cleanings

The typical recommendation for dental cleanings is every six months. However, your dentist and hygienist will customize this plan to meet your specific oral health needs. Dental cleanings prevent the excessive buildup of plaque and calculus (also known as tartar), which can lead to gingivitis, periodontal disease, and/or tooth decay.

What can you expect at your cleaning/exam appointment?

Typical procedures that may be part of your routine examination include:

• Diagnostic Digital X-rays

• Periodontal screening for gum disease and bone loss

• Scaling to remove plaque and calculus (tartar)

• Polishing

• Oral cancer screening

• Dental examination

• Fluoride varnish application (as needed)

After your cleaning and exam, a follow-up visit may be scheduled depending on the nature of your dental needs.

Dental Sealants

At our office, Dr. Winter can apply dental sealants to molars to lower the risk of dental decay. Sealants are thin plastic coatings layered into the grooves of the chewing surfaces of the molars. Sealants protect your teeth by keeping bacteria and food particles out of the pits and grooves of your teeth, preventing the process of tooth decay.

Dental sealants are for children and adults and they are only applied to molars that are completely free of decay. Children can have sealants placed as soon as their molars begin erupting, typically around age six.