Maintain Your Healthy Smile with a Cleaning & Dental Exam in East Lansing

When was the last time you visited your dentist for a cleaning or dental exam in East Lansing? If it's been within the last six months, great job! You're following the recommended guidelines for good preventive dental care.

If it's been longer than six months-or it's been a few years, don't worry. We can help you get back on track with gentle, comfortable dentistry provided by skilled and knowledgeable dentists who care deeply about the health and well-being of each of our patients. No matter how long it's been since your last exam or dental cleaning, you deserve excellent dental care free from judgment or shame.

Why a Twice-Yearly Dental Exam Matters

Regular check-ups are important for your health. When you visit your doctor for a check-up, what happens? Your doctor asks questions to determine if you've been experiencing any signs of emerging problems, performs a physical exam to check for anything concerning, orders tests to identify otherwise invisible problems like high cholesterol or diabetes, and discusses your lifestyle habits to look for any areas that could be tightened up.

A routine dental exam is the same. Your dentist will discuss your home care habits, like brushing and flossing, to look for any areas of improvement, perform a physical exam to identify anything concerning, and take x-rays to look for developing problems that can't be seen with the naked eye. The goal of a preventive dental exam is to provide advice that helps you avoid problems and catch any problems that do develop when they are in their earliest stages-when treatment is simple.

Some of the dental conditions we assess for during your exam include decay, gum disease, teeth grinding, and bone loss. We also recommend an oral cancer screening for each of our adult patients. This year, about 54,000 U.S. adults will receive an oral cancer diagnosis. Of those, nearly 10,000 will lose their life. Catching oral cancer early dramatically increases your chances of successful treatment, but in its early stages, oral cancer can only be caught with specialized technology and skilled examination.

Preventing Cavities and Gum Disease with Dental Cleanings

Maintaining good home care habits around brushing and flossing is vital for preventing dental problems, but it doesn't end there. A dental cleaning is another important part of the equation. No matter how well you brush and floss or how advanced of a toothbrush you use, it's inevitable that traces of plaque will be left behind.

Plaque is a sticky film that adheres to your enamel. Made up of saliva, food particles, and bacteria, plaque build-up leads to bad breath and decay. Over time, plaque solidifies into a hard substance known as calculus, or tartar. Once calculus forms on your teeth, it can only be removed with professional tools by a trained dental professional. The bacteria in calculus, and the acid they secrete, can do a great deal of damage to your teeth and gums in the form of cavities and gum disease.

What are cavities?

Cavities are small holes in the enamel of your teeth. When they first form, they are usually painless. Over time, as the damage increases, sensitivity and pain set in. This means that the damage has broken through the hard outer shell of your tooth and has reached the interior of your tooth, known as the pulp.

What is gum disease?

Gum disease is a chronic infection affecting your gum tissue. When gum disease first starts, it is known as gingivitis. The signs of gingivitis include red, puffy, sore gums that may bleed when you brush as well as bad breath. Gingivitis can be reversed with improved home care.

If allowed to progress, gingivitis develops into periodontitis. This serious infection attacks your dental bone, leading to additional symptoms like receding gums, pain and sensitivity, and loose teeth. In fact, periodontitis is the number one cause of tooth loss. Periodontitis requires more advanced gum disease treatment to bring it back under control, but reversing the damage caused by the disease requires advanced dental treatments like bone grafting.

Periodontitis is also associated with several systemic health conditions, such as heart disease and diabetes. Caring for your oral health is a critical part of your overall self-care. Do you need a periodontal treatment? Call us so we can create a customized treatment plan for you.

Schedule Your Preventive Care Exam and Dental Cleaning Today!

We are here to help you have a healthy, happy smile that you are proud to show off. Call our office today to schedule a cleaning and exam so you can enjoy better dental health. We're looking forward to working with you and helping you have the smile you've always wanted.