Preventing dental disease starts at home with good oral hygiene and a balanced diet. Prevention also includes regular dental exams, cleanings, and x-rays. Sealants and fluoride are also great preventive treatments that help protect the teeth. At our office, our dentists and dental hygienists continue the effort to promote, restore, and maintain your oral health.
How do you detect conditions, like cancer, in the mouth?
Early detection of disease states, including oral cancer, is very important. Traditional oral screenings rely on the naked eye, but at Koopah & Koopah, we use a vital tool, VELscope, that uses a special light frequency to illuminate the tissues of the mouth. It provides clear visual signals to alert us to the areas that require further inspection.
Brushing and flossing help control the plaque and bacteria that cause dental disease. Brush your teeth at least twice a day, especially before going to bed at night. Brush your tongue to remove bacteria and freshen your breath. Daily flossing is the best way to clean between the teeth and under the gumline.
What can I expect when I come to Koopah & Koopah for a dental exam?
- At regular cleaning appointments and check-up exams, your dentist and hygienist will:
- Use special dental instruments to check your tooth surfaces for tooth decay
- Examine your diagnostic x-rays to look for signs of decay, tumors, cysts, and bone loss
- Screen you for oral cancer, including the face, neck, lips, tongue, throat, tissues, and gums
- Evaluate your gums and bone around the teeth for any signs of periodontal disease
- Examine your fillings, crowns, and other restorations
Your dental exam includes a cleaning that will remove tartar and hardened plaque above and below the gumline, and polish your teeth to remove the stain and plaque that isn’t reached during regular tooth brushing.
What should I do if I have bad breath?
The chief cause of bad breath is microbial deposits on the tongue, especially in the back. Simply brushing the tongue can reduce bad breath by as much as 70 percent.
Other causes are related to poor oral hygiene or certain illnesses. To prevent bad breath, floss and brush your teeth at least twice a day with an ADA-approved fluoride toothpaste and brush. Remove and clean dentures or removable bridges thoroughly. Be sure to see your dentist regularly at least twice a year for a check-up and cleaning.
Are amalgam (silver) fillings safe?
Dentists have used amalgam, a blend of copper, silver, tin, and zinc bound by elemental mercury, to fill teeth for more than 100 years. In recent years there has been some concern about the mercury content. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), however, studies have failed to find any link between silver containing mercury and any medical disorder. Silver fillings are safe.
Are dental x-rays safe?
Dental x-rays produce a low level of radiation, and are considered safe. We take all necessary precautions to limit the patient’s exposure to radiation. The fact is that the amount of radiation exposure from a full-mouth series of x-rays is equal to the amount a person is exposed to in a single day just from the natural radiation in our environment.