Schedule Your Cleaning & Dental Exam in Canton Today!

Preventive dentistry is everything you and your dental team do to help you avoid experiencing problems like tooth decay and gum disease:

• Brushing your teeth
• Flossing
• Drinking fluoridated water
• Cleaning
• Dental exam

Keeping up with these good habits significantly reduces your risk for most common dental problems.

We also recognize that it's easy to fall off track. And, once you've fallen off track it can feel incredibly difficult to get back on track. At Contemporary Dentistry Canton, you don't need to worry about feeling judged for missing a few dental visits. We just want to help you make dental care a priority so you can smile with confidence and comfort.

What Happens During a Dental Exam in Canton?

During your exam, your dentist will conduct a thorough assessment of your oral health, including the health of your enamel and gum tissue. We'll look for the signs of any concerns that might be developing, such as decay, gum disease, bone loss, teeth grinding, and oral cancer.

Your exam may include dental x-rays, which help us spot problems like cavities, bone loss, and infection. We'll also perform a comprehensive periodontal exam, which may include assessing how your gums fit around your teeth since one of the key signs of periodontal disease is gums that pull away from the teeth, causing the teeth to look longer.

We also recommend that every adult patient have a routine oral cancer screening. The signs of early oral cancer can be subtle and are easy to miss without advanced technology and a skillful examination. When discovered early, oral cancer is much easier to treat. By the time the symptoms of oral cancer are apparent, the disease may be life-threatening.

What Happens During a Teeth Cleaning in Canton?

One of our most frequently asked questions at Contemporary Dentistry Canton is, "I do a great job brushing and flossing my teeth. Why do I need to have my teeth professionally cleaned as well?"

Toothbrush technology has come a long way, but your toothbrush still can't possibly reach every single spot where plaque and tartar hide. Even electric toothbrushes can still leave traces of plaque between your teeth or just below your gum line.

Over time, those small left-behind plaque deposits calcify. In other words, they harden into calculus. Calculus cannot be removed with a toothbrush or floss. Professional tools, knowledge, and training are required. During your dental cleaning, we'll systematically clean every tooth with professional tools made specifically for removing calculus without damaging teeth, including the spaces between your teeth and below your gum line that are so difficult to reach.

Why are plaque and calculus so important to remove?

Both plaque and calculus contain bacteria that secrete an acid that eats away at your enamel until tiny holes form. These tiny holes are what we commonly refer to as "cavities." When cavities start, they are usually painless and can go undetected for a long time. Unfortunately, during that time, damage continues to occur. When sensitivity and pain develop, that means the damage has infiltrated the pulp of your tooth and hit your nerve. At this point, more complex treatment (like root canal therapy) may be needed to relieve pain and solve the problem.

Cleanings are also critical for preventing gum disease. Known in its earliest stages as "gingivitis" and then as "periodontitis" once it has progressed, gum disease (periodontal disease) is the number one cause of tooth loss.

Periodontal disease is a chronic infection. The first signs are puffy or swollen gums that appear inflamed and red and may bleed a little when you brush. As the infection progresses, more symptoms will develop, including:

• Chronic bad breath, also known as halitosis
• Gum recession, in which the teeth appear longer
• Loose teeth, as the infection damages the bone
• Pain and sensitivity when you chew
• Changes to the way your bite comes together, caused by shifting teeth

Cleaning plaque and calculus deposits at or just below the gum line removes the bacteria that cause gum disease so that your gums can heal. Gum disease treatment also relieves halitosis, so you can feel confident while having conversations and not have to worry about people smelling your breath. If you need a periodontal treatment, give us a call to schedule your visit.

Make Time for Preventive Dentistry

Make preventive dental care a priority-call our office today to book your next cleaning and dental exam in Canton. We're looking forward to meeting you, discussing your home care habits, helping you get the most benefit from your home care routine, and providing everything you need to have a healthy, happy smile.