Teeth Cleaning, Care, and Checkups

The Importance of Regular Checkups

Early intervention is the key to preventing issues like periodontal disease and aggressive tooth decay.

By addressing minor issues as early as possible, Dr. Jeffrey Bayme can help you limit your need for extensive dental treatments and keep your natural smile healthy for life.

Most individuals with healthy teeth and gums benefit from a preventative care visit every six months. During these appointments, we offer services like:

• Full-mouth dental exams
• Periodontal evaluations
• Oral cancer screenings
• Professional dental cleanings
• Stain removal (polishing)
• Diagnostic dental X-rays
• Occlusal evaluations
• Sleep apnea screening

Your New Patient Exam

Your initial visit will include a comprehensive exam with Dr. Bayme to establish a baseline of your current oral health conditions. After thorough charting and digital images are captured, we can reference this data at future checkups to monitor your smile for any changes between visits. As such, minor issues can be addressed quickly while they’re smaller and require less invasive treatments to repair.

Most of our patients remark that they’ve never had as in-detailed of an oral exam as their comprehensive assessment with Dr. Bayme.

Professional Dental Cleanings

Preventative dental cleanings remove buildup from hard-to-reach spaces that accumulate between checkups. By scheduling a cleaning every six months and practicing proper daily brushing and flossing, you can prevent the onset of gum disease and tooth loss.

However, individuals with active periodontal infections may require a series of “deep” cleanings (periodontal therapy) to prevent their condition from getting any worse.

Will I Need X-rays?

Dental X-rays allow us to screen for oral disease before it’s visible to the naked eye. For instance, bone loss or cavities between teeth can be intercepted earlier with the help of digital imaging. Without X-rays, what could be repaired with a small filling might otherwise require a crown or root canal several months later.

We use digital X-rays that require as much as 90% less radiation than conventional imaging techniques.

Periodontal Disease Symptoms

Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss. Thankfully, it’s preventable with good home care. But left untreated, gingivitis can expand into adjacent tissues and bone, compromising the overall integrity of your smile. Symptoms of periodontal infections include:

• Bleeding gums
• Bad breath
• Tartar buildup
• Receding gumlines
• Tooth mobility

People who smoke or use tobacco products may not have as noticeable warning signs due to changes in their oral soft tissues.

It’s worth noting that gum disease can increase your risk of worsening systemic health conditions, like heart attack, stroke, pneumonia, diabetes, and infertility. Establishing a healthy oral environment helps boost your immune system.

More Information

Frequently Asked Questions