We care about your dental health, and our hygienists and doctors will inquire about your oral history to form an overall picture of your dental needs. This can include past treatments or conditions that can affect your current dental health. Some topics to be addressed:
- Whether you feel pain or discomfort
- The date of your last dental checkup
- Activity level (including impact sports)
- Personal habits & choices (eating, smoking, drinking, etc.)
Next your gums will be analyzed for inflammation, most commonly due to the buildup of bacteria. Underneath your gum line is home to many germs, and if left untreated can cause infections and abscesses. Completing dental checkups twice a year can isolate problems not yet seen or felt by the patient.
Special mirrors and tools can help your dentist check for “pockets”, which are areas around the gum line that have grown puffy from inflammation. These pockets act as an incubator for germs, and only a professional cleaning can remove and effectively treat them.