In addition to providing hygiene therapy, we’ll create a personalized plan to help you prevent plaque, tooth decay and gum disease. This includes using a laser cavity detector (DIAGNOdent Laser) and digital screening x-rays as needed. Panorex digital x-rays allow the doctor to see cavities between the teeth and also aid the dentist in seeing and assessing your wisdom teeth and pre-orthodontic. Digital x-rays contain 60-90% less radiation than traditional x-rays.
At each visit we also perform a quick and painless oral cancer screening. Since no two mouths are alike, we create a customized plan to help you achieve your optimal health.
If you are overdue for a dental checkup or cleaning in Winston-Salem, please call 336-765-2921 or email Robinson Dental Studio today for an appointment.
Oral Hygiene Protects Teeth and Gums
Preventive dentistry can reduce or eliminate the need for restorative treatments like dental fillings or dental crowns. Oral hygiene is the first step in preventive dentistry, and the most important part is what you do at home.
Damage to your teeth and infection of your gums are caused by oral bacteria which build up in your mouth, feeding on sugars and other carbohydrates in your food. These bacteria secrete damaging acids and bind together in a biofilm—kind of like a protective slime—to avoid attack by your saliva. Cleaning your teeth removes this plaque, protecting your teeth.
Your oral hygiene routine should consist of:
- Brushing your teeth at least twice a day
And
- Flossing your teeth at least once a day
You can brush your teeth more often, but if you’re going to brush them after meals and snacks, be aware that acid in the foods you eat or from bacteria could soften your enamel, making it vulnerable to erosion. Make sure you wait a while to allow your enamel to return to their natural hardness. It’s best to rinse your mouth with water immediately after eating or drinking.
The other part of your oral hygiene is your twice-annually checkups and hygiene visits. At these hygiene visits, we will remove the tartar you can’t get off at home. Tartar is when plaque absorbs minerals in your saliva to form a hardened deposit. It’s like a reinforced bunker to protect bacteria from saliva and brushing, and if it’s not removed periodically, it will allow the growth of oral bacteria.
Early Detection Prevents Further Damage
Damage to your teeth can accelerate rapidly. When bacteria create a small hole in your tooth, it provides them protection to produce more bacteria, which can then cause further damage. Treating small cavities with a filling or onlay means you won’t need a dental crown. A dental crown can save the tooth before you need a root canal or have to replace it with a dental bridge or implant.
A similar effect works once bacteria begin colonizing below your gum line, they are safe and can multiply in numbers. This can further separate your gums from your teeth, giving bacteria more room, and, eventually, triggering a panicked attack by your body’s immune system, whose response could actually lead to the destruction of your gums and jawbone, leading to tooth loss.
If you are looking for help protecting your teeth in Winston-Salem, please contact Robinson Dental Studio today for an appointment.
