Skip to main content

How Routine Dental Checkups Help Your Smile in the Long Run

How Routine Dental Checkups Help Your Smile in the Long Run

When you come in for dental exams and we have cleaned your teeth and gum line and removed any hardened plaque, Dr. Eidbo can look at them for any signs of trouble, such as cavities, loose or broken teeth, damaged fillings, and evaluate your risk rate of certain diseases which might also take into account your family history. We will look for swelling in the gums or redness and bleeding and even measure the depth of gingival pockets signaling gum disease. We will evaluate your bite, determine if you have bruxism (a sign of teeth grinding), check the contact between teeth and examine the lower jaw joints for problems. We will also examine the soft tissues in your head, mouth and neck, including the lymph nodes, for any indications of cancer or infection. If problems are detected, you may require further diagnostics followed up with recommended treatment options.

As you can see, this is one of the biggest reasons why dental checkups are so important, because spotting problems early on is crucial for providing effective, minimally invasive, and economical treatment. Using x-rays and other diagnostic tools, we can detect problems early when you may not even be aware of them, especially since tooth decay isn’t usually obvious or painful in the early stages. By the time you do notice problems, the condition has often already advanced.
While most of the time you may need to see Dr. Eidbo twice a year, there are circumstances that might require coming in more often, particularly since your oral health is directly related to your overall health and vice versa. For example, if you have a disease such as diabetes or heart disease you may be at greater risk of gum disease. If you have a weakened immune system, you will likely have a diminished ability to ward off infections and diseases. If you regularly use tobacco or are a heavy drinker, you are at greater risk of oral problems. Taking medications that result in dry mouth – a reduction in saliva production – puts you at higher risk of developing cavities. So be sure to let Dr. Eidbo know what medications and supplements you are currently taking when you come in for your routine checkups. You can also let us know if you are noticing signs of tooth sensitivity, pain or an unusual lump. Again, the earlier a problem is addressed, the better the treatment success rate.

If you would like to have Dr. Eidbo and our team provide you with a thorough dental cleaning and exam, we invite you to call our office to schedule an appointment. Our goal is to help you create the healthiest oral environment for your teeth and gums and we look forward to providing you with the quality care you deserve.

Thanks,

Oak Grove Dental

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Inbox: PPO, HMO, EPO, DMO; What’s the difference?

Hello Everyone,  From my email:  My insurance is ending this month. There are so many policies out there..., can you please tell me what to get? What's the difference? KNM, Lafeyette, CA. More and more, insurance companies are being selective in the policies that they offer to patients. First, let me take a minute to let you know the difference between PPO, HMO, EPO, DMO, … UGH… it can be frustrating, I know. So, let’s go through them— 1)       HMO: Health Maintenance Organization . With a HMO plan, your insurance company might require you to pick a dental care provider. All, or most of your services, must go through that provider. Visits to offices that take PPO only will most likely not be covered by your insurance. 2 )       PPO: Preferred Provider Organization PPO Dental offices, such as Oak Grove Dental, give you flexibility. You can most likely choose the dental care provider that bes...
1 comment
Read more

Back to School Mouth Guards: Minimizing The Impact

Back to School Mouth Guards: The American Dental Association claims that there are 200,000 injuries a year that can be prevented if a mouth guard was worn. Wearing mouth guards prevents trauma to teeth and can reduce impact playing certain sports. This sports include: Acrobatics Basketball Boxing Field hockey Football Gymnastics Handball Ice hockey Lacrosse Martial arts Racquetball Roller hockey Rugby Shot putting Skateboarding Skiing Skydiving Soccer Squash Surfing Volleyball Water polo Weightlifting Wrestling  And, according to the American Association of Orthodontists, 84% of children playing  in organized sports don't wear protection. Most parents don't enforce the mouth guard because children find them bulky, uncomfortable, and difficult to talk with them in. While, I do understand the hesitation of wearing sports guards, the trauma that can occur during these sports to teeth can be extensive. In my office, we make custom fit sports guards fo...
1 comment
Read more

The Dental Fun Facts of Life

At Oak Grove Dental, we believe it's important to treat our patients with the highest quality of care. We also feel that it is our duty to inform our patients about oral health and EMPOWER them to live healthier lives! Here are some interesting fun dental facts about your teeth that we thought would be fun to share! The enamel on the top surface of your tooth is the hardest part of your entire body. Teeth start to form even before your are born. Humans have four different types of teeth: Incisors, Canine, Pre-Molars, and Molars. They are used to cut, grind and tear our food. Humans have only two sets of teeth in their entire lifetime. No two people have the same set of teeth. Your teeth are as unique as your fingerprint. Your mouth produces over 25,000 quarts of saliva in a lifetime. (That's enough to fill 2 swimming pools, LOL!) An average person spends 38.5 days of their life brushing their teeth over their entire lifetime. There are many diseases that are l...
Post a Comment
Read more