Oral health means more than just an attractive smile.  Poor health and untreated oral diseases and conditions can have a significant impact on a persons quality of life.  In many cases, the condition of the mouth mirrors the condition of the body as a whole.  Recent reports indicate a relationship between periodontal (gum) disease and stroke, heart disease and pre-term  low birth rate in babies.  More than 90% of all systemic diseases have oral manifestation and oral health care providers many times are the ones that diagnose the health problem.

 In our practice,  all of our patients receive:

• A full one hour hygiene appointment with a licensed dental hygienist.
• Periodontal  disease evaluation :  The gums and bone around the teeth are measured by a probe to evaluate for any  signs of periodontal disease.
• An oral cancer screening and exam will follow afterwards with the doctor.  He will check the face,  neck, lips, tongue, throat, tissues and gums for any signs of oral cancer along with any necessary x- rays taken at this time.
• All  tooth surfaces will be checked for decay and the condition of existing restorations.  All teeth will be evaluated by x-rays.

X-rays may reveal:

• Abscesses or cysts
• Bone  loss
• Cancerous or non-cancerous tumors
• Decay between teeth
• Developmental abnormalities
• Poor tooth and root positions
• Problems inside a tooth or below the gum line

Preventative measures such as detecting  and treating dental problems at an early stage can save you time, money, unnecessary discomfort and even your teeth.

Over 50 % of people over 30 are affected with some form of gum disease that they may be unaware of.  We consider our preventative hygiene appointment to be one of the most valuable service offered to our patients.