Your regularly scheduled check-up is often referred to as a “cleaning”, but there is much more to it than that! The technical term is oral prophylaxis, which means prevention of oral disease.
One way to prevent oral disease is to remove harmful plaque and tartar (calculus) both above and below the gum line. You may also be given special instructions on brushing or flossing to keep clean the areas where we found significant buildup. That is the familiar “cleaning” part of your checkup.
Preventive Maintenance Program at Tuckerton Dental
Our patients at Tuckerton Dental are always encouraged to get a dental cleaning & check-up every three to six months. Tobacco, alcohol consumption, diabetes, pregnancy, periodontal and gum disease, poor oral hygiene, and certain medical conditions are some of the factors that Dr. Petrosky takes into consideration when deciding how often you need your dental cleaning & check-up. A cleaning will usually consist of the following:
Scaling is often done by hand to remove plaque and tartar from all tooth surfaces.
Root Planning or clean perio (early signs of gum disease) pockets to stop further gum problems.
Polish (used to remove heavy stains if any) with a rubber cup and polishing paste on the surface of the teeth.
Coming to us for your regular checkups will help to keep your gums and teeth healthy as well as detect any early problems such as gum disease, oral cancer, and cavities. The best way to maintain good oral health is to visit Tuckerton Dental on a regular basis. Here are…
10 Good Reasons to Visit Tuckerton Dental for A Checkup and Dental Cleaning!
Good oral hygiene is important, not only for looks but for general health as well. Poor oral hygiene can lead to a variety of dental and medical problems such as gum disease, infection, bone loss, heart disease, strokes, and more. Regular checkups and cleanings can prevent these problems as well as provide you with good oral hygiene.
1. To Prevent Oral Cancer
According to The Oral Cancer Foundation, someone dies from oral cancer, every hour of every day in the United States alone. When you have your dental cleaning, your dentist and hygienist are also screening you for oral cancer, which is highly curable if diagnosed early. At Tuckerton Dental we use the Velscope® handheld device with its tissue fluorescence for early detection.
2. To Prevent Gum Disease
Gum disease is an infection in the gum tissues and bone that keep your teeth in place and is one of the leading causes of adult tooth loss. If diagnosed early, it can be treated and reversed. If treatment is not received, a more serious and advanced stage of gum disease may follow. Regular dental cleanings and checkups, flossing daily, and brushing twice a day are key factors in preventing gum disease.
3. To Help Maintain Good Physical Health
Recent studies have linked heart attacks and strokes to gum disease, resulting from poor oral hygiene. A dental cleaning at least every 6 months helps to keep your teeth and gums healthy and could possibly reduce your risk of heart disease and strokes. Also, we will monitor your blood pressure.
4. To Keep Your Teeth
Since gum disease is one of the leading causes of tooth loss in adults, regular dental checkups and cleanings, brushing, and flossing are vital to keeping as many teeth as you can. Keeping your teeth means better chewing function, better self-estimate, and ultimately better general health.
5. To Detect Dental Problems Early
Dr. Petrosky and his hygienist will be able to detect any early signs of problems with your teeth or gums. Early detection of cavities, broken fillings, and gum disease are easily treatable. If these problems go untreated, root canals, gum surgery, and removal of teeth could become the only treatment options available.
6. To Maintain Good Oral Health
Your dental hygienist will help to ensure that you are maintaining your good oral health by visual examination and comparing your previous dental checkups. If you are falling off track with your oral hygiene, Dr. Petrosky will help put you back on the right path.
7. To Use Your Dental Insurance Plan
Dental insurance plans usually pay for all or most of the cost of dental cleanings and checkups every six months. Take advantage of this and save a lot of money in the long run by avoiding costly dental procedures that can result from poor oral hygiene. Also, we participate in most dental plans.
8. To Create A Treatment Plan
If Dr. Petrosky diagnoses any problems in your mouth, he will most likely give you a treatment plan. This treatment plan should have the cost of each procedure that you will need so that you can discuss financial arrangements with the front office. There are 12-18 months of no interest payment plans available.
9. To Have A Bright and White Smile
Our dental hygienist Terry can remove most tobacco, coffee, and tea stains. During your cleaning, Terry will also polish your teeth to a beautiful shine. The result? A whiter and bright smile! Once you see the difference you will wonder why you didn’t have your teeth cleaned sooner.
10. To Prevent Bad Breath
Dental studies show that about 85 percent of people with persistent bad breath, also known as halitosis have a dental problem that is to blame. Good oral hygiene is essential in preventing bad breath. Regular checkups and cleanings at Tuckerton Dental are the best way to make sure that you are maintaining good oral hygiene.
So call us today at 609-296-1007…you’ll be glad you did!
Why Waterpik®
Brushing Your Teeth Is Not Enough
Even though most of us brush our teeth, half of all American adults have gum disease, which is a root cause of bad breath and tooth loss.
To help prevent gum disease, dental professionals tell us to floss daily. But many of us don’t because string floss is difficult and time-consuming to use.
That’s why Water Pik created the Water Flosser – an easy and more effective way to floss!
- Easy. Just point the flosser tip between your teeth and along the gum line, and let it do all the work for you.
- Fast. Water Flossing takes only a minute a day, making it easy to improve your oral health and enjoy the cleanest, freshest mouth possible.
- Effective. The Waterpik® Water Flosser removes the plaque and debris lurking deep between teeth and below the gum line, where it’s hard to reach with traditional brushing and flossing.
The results are clinically proven – Water Flossing is up to 50% more effective than string floss and up to 80% more effective than Sonicare® Air Floss (model HX8181) for improving gum health.
#1 Brand Recommended by Dental Professionals
9 out of 10 dental professionals recommend the Waterpik® Water Flosser over other brands. That’s because Waterpik® is known for unsurpassed performance and quality, with more research support than any other brand on the market.
Oral Health and Your Body
Oral health problems can affect the rest of your body and your overall health.
Clinical Research
Waterpik® oral health products are clinically proven to provide significant oral health benefits.
Specific Dental Needs
Good dental care is a must for maintaining healthy gums, protecting teeth, and preventing gum disease.
How to Floss With a Water Flosser
Using dental floss is important to your daily oral health routine. But you might hate flossing because it is awkward, difficult, or messy.
If you are looking for an effective alternative to manual or string floss, you can floss with water instead of string!
How to Use a Waterpik® Water Flosser in 8 Simple Steps
- Fill the reservoir with lukewarm water and place it on the base, pressing down firmly to ensure full seating.
- Select the tip and press firmly into the handle. If this is the first use, set the pressure control dial to high.
- Point the tip into the sink and turn it on until the water flows.
- Turn the unit off.
- Adjust the pressure control (start at low pressure).
- Lean over the sink and place tip in mouth.
- Turn the unit on. Close lips to prevent splashing, while allowing water to flow from the mouth into the sink.
- Start with the back teeth and pause briefly between teeth, aiming the tip just above the gumline at a 90-degree angle.
When finished, turn the unit off and use the tip eject button to remove the tip. Depending on the Waterpik® Water Flosser model, you can use the in-handle pause or on/off switch to stop water flow if needed. You can also aim the tip using the rotating base. (These features are not available on all models.)
