Dentist

When you visit us at Elite Dental, you will be welcomed by our knowledgeable and friendly staff. Once it is time for your appointment, you will be brought back into the dental office. Our dental hygienist will clean your teeth and prepare you for the dentist. Our hygienist will use various tools to remove plaque and tartar from your teeth and around your gum line. Your teeth are then polished. When our dentist comes in, they will talk to the hygienist for any observations made during your cleaning. The dentist will then ask you some questions to get a better idea of how you take care of your teeth and if you have noticed any issues since your last visit. You may also need x-rays. The cleaning and x-ray procedures are all completely painless. At this point our dentist will examine your teeth, gums, palette, throat and neck. This is to check for abnormalities. If you have x-rays taken, they will go over them with you. If you require dental work, you will be notified by the dentist. 

Your check up and cleaning is not a long process. You can count on an hour at most from check in to check out. The more you come in for your scheduled cleanings and the more you take care of your teeth between visits, the shorter these cleaning will be. No matter how long the process, we go out of our way to make you comfortable. We know it is not easy to sit and have your mouth open for a long time. We make cleanings as easy and quick as possible. 

Our dentist will inform you right away if anything is abnormal. If additional procedures are required, we can set up a consultation with one of our specialists or refer you. 

If you are not sure how often to go to the dentist, we have the answer for you. At a very minimum, you should visit us once a year for check-ups and cleanings. That being said, we prefer you visit us every six months. Our cleaning target tartar build-up, which can cause long-term issues if left untreated for extended periods of time. We know that a dentist may not be your favorite place to visit, but sticking to your six month appointment will make a significant difference in your oral hygiene and keep you from having to come back for a major procedure. The cost of regular cleanings, which may be completely covered by insurance, are much less than paying for things like implants, gum disease treatments, and dental surgeries. 

What Can Dental Visits Detect and Prevent?

Oral Cancer

Oral cancer is a very serious disease. It is also able to manifest in different ways, all with devastating effects. Coming in for regular cleanings is the best way to detect the early signs of this cancer, as it takes a trained dental expert to detect it before it becomes serious and life threatening. The good news is that if oral cancer is detected in the early stages, there is no reason it cannot be easily treated. 

Gum Disease

When plaque and tartar buildup, it can erode the gum tissues in your mouth. Tooth decay is also the result of this buildup. An infection can spread where the gum and tooth connect, which results in your gums receding away from your teeth. This is commonly referred to as gingivitis. Allowing this to progress further breaks down the gum and tissue attachments. When it gets this far, it is referred to as gum disease. The signs that point to gum disease include: swelling, bleeding, tenderness, and inflammation in the mouth. Gum disease can also cause breakdown of the bone that holds your teeth in place. The result here is the loss of teeth altogether, which require drastic treatment methods and the help of dental specialists. Depending on the severity, you may be facing surgery, invasive deep cleaning, and medications. This can all be avoided with regular dental checkups. 

Tartar, Plaque and Cavities

No matter how often you brush and floss your teeth, you will always have small areas where tartar and plaque remain. This is why visiting us for your six month cleaning is so important. We have the tools and equipment to completely remove these small areas of buildup. Regular cleanings keep this plaque and tartar from being able to erode teeth. When your teeth erode, holes are created and cavities are the result. If you have a cavity, you may have a minor toothache, sensitivity, or so signs at all. Regular cleanings and practicing good dental hygiene between visits will make having to get a filling much less likely. 

X-Rays

X-ray imaging is a great technology that we use to your advantage. It allows our dentists to see what is happening beneath the gum line. An x-ray can mean the difference between finding and treating an infection fast, as opposed to enduring procedures later. It also allows us to see the condition of your wisdom teeth. For our younger clients, this is very helpful during oral development and making sure your child has good oral health. Any damage you may have to your jawbone, like trauma, decay, swelling, or tumors, will show up in an x-ray. This allows our dentists to properly treat them. 

Head, Neck, and Lymph Nodes

You may not realize this, but a dentist not only checks your mouth, gums and tongue for signs of cancer, they also check your neck, jaw and lymph nodes. If there is any swelling or lumps, these could be signs of an abnormality. If any of this is detected during your visit, we immediately get you to a specialist so proper tests can be done. It only takes a minute for your dentist to perform this check, but it can actually make a significant difference in your life. 

As dental professionals and specialists, we are not only concerned with cleaning your teeth, we want to look after your overall health and well-being. Major health issues can start as oral infections. We want to make sure we do everything we can to prevent this. We also take the time to educate you and your family on the best way to care for your teeth and gums between visits. Take the time to schedule your cleanings, so you can spend your time enjoying your friends and family and maintain your beautiful smile.