Dental Exams & Teeth Cleaning in Fox Point

We provide a comprehensive range of dental services, and patient satisfaction is one of our top priorities. When you visit our clinic, we’ll do everything we can to make sure you have a comfortable experience.

During your initial consultation with us, our team will examine your teeth and the soft tissues of your mouth, including your gums. This dental exam allows us to detect the following types of oral health issues:

1. Bone loss
2. Gum disease
3. Cavities (tooth decay)
4. Teeth grinding
5. Oral cancer

As our practice has grown, we’ve had the privilege of developing long-term relationships with many of our patients. We would love to welcome you to our dental office. When you’re ready, get in touch with our team members to schedule your dental checkup.

How Could I Benefit From Professional Cleanings and Gum Treatments?

When you have your teeth cleaned at our dental office, we use professional tools to remove plaque and tartar. Plaque is a bacterial coating that forms on your teeth when you eat and drink. Although you can remove plaque with daily brushing at home, it may be difficult for you to remove every trace of plaque from your teeth.

When plaque remains on your teeth, it turns into tartar, a hard substance that destroys enamel. If you try to remove tartar at home, you could damage your teeth. Your dental hygienist can remove tartar during a professional cleaning.

If you have lots of plaque and tartar, you could develop symptoms of gingivitis. This condition is the first stage of gum disease, and it can make your gums red, swollen, and tender. You may notice that your gums bleed when you brush or floss. If you experience any of these symptoms, contact your dental team to ask about gum disease treatment. 

If you don’t treat gingivitis, you could develop periodontal disease. This condition is more severe than gingivitis, and it requires periodontal treatment. Your provider may perform root planing to get rid of tartar below your gum line.

To help with reducing inflammation, your dental team may prescribe antibiotics or special mouthwashes. If your symptoms are severe, your provider might ask you to consider surgical treatments, including pocket reduction and bone grafts.

What Can I Expect When I Have a Professional Dental Cleaning?

In most cases, your dental cleaning will be performed before you see the dentist for your dental exam in Fox Point. Your dental hygienist will begin your cleaning by scaling your teeth. This removes plaque and tartar from the surfaces of your teeth, the areas around your gum line and the spaces in between your teeth. Depending on the equipment at your dental clinic, your hygienist may complete your cleaning with hand tools or ultrasonic devices.

Next, you’ll have your teeth brushed with a high-speed toothbrush, and your hygienist will floss the areas between your teeth. If you have staining from coffee or other substances, your provider may use an air polisher to remove discoloration.

What Happens When I Seek Treatment for Bad Breath?

Also known as halitosis, bad breath is a condition that affects more than 25% of Americans. Bad breath can be caused by consuming certain foods and drinks or using an ineffective oral hygiene routine. In some cases, bad breath may be a sign of tooth decay.

If you’re experiencing halitosis, our dental providers are here to help. We offer professional cleanings, specialized treatments and oral hygiene advice that will allow you to overcome this condition.

During your consultation with us, we’ll ask about your medical history and any symptoms you’ve observed. We’ll examine your mouth to identify tooth decay or other oral health conditions that may be causing your symptoms. After the exam, we’ll discuss our findings with you, and we’ll recommend the most appropriate treatments for your needs.

What Happens During an Oral Cancer Screening?

At our practice, we perform oral cancer exams at all dental checkups for adults. In the early stages of oral cancer, patients may not notice any symptoms. Therefore, screening tests are particularly important for early detection of this disease.

Your screening will take around five minutes, and it should not cause any pain. First, our dentist will look at your lips, tongue, tonsils, gums, and cheek lining. To get the best view of the roof and floor of your mouth, your provider may ask you to move your jaw from side to side. During this visual inspection, the dentist will be looking for redness, white patches and other irregularities. 

Next, our dental care provider will touch certain parts of your neck, jaw and face to identify any areas that are swollen or sore. Make sure to tell the dentist if you experience any discomfort during this part of the screening.

After the exam, our dentist will explain your results. If any areas of concern were detected during the screening, you may be referred to a physician for additional testing.

If you’re searching for dental care in Fox Point, reach out to our team. From preventative care to cutting-edge treatments, we’re here to assist you with all of your oral health needs. You can book your dental exam in Fox Point on our website or over the phone. We look forward to meeting you.