DentalWorkBlog

Routine Care

Did your phone just go reminding you to make that six-month routine follow-up to Horizon One Dental?  Thinking about putting it off another few weeks?  Think again!  Have you ever wondered why the need for a revisit every six months?  Simply put, it is routine dental care that will help you to achieve long term oral health and maintenance of your smile.  

Routine dental visits have more benefits than just a cleaning.  It is at these visits that your provider is likely to find any evidence of dental diseases including tooth decay, gum disease and larger periodontal problems, just to name a few.  Skipping that follow-up appointment can send you down a longer road of necessary services that could have been avoided with early identification and prevention. 

So, you have booked your appointment – what can you expect?  At Horizon One Dental you will receive a thorough examination of your mouth and smile, identifying any issues including decay of teeth, inflamed gums and other things negatively impacting your oral health.  Your provider will also examine your teeth for the degree of plaque and calculus on the tooth’s surface. 

What is plaque and why is it so important?  According to Delta Dental “plaque is a soft, sticky film that builds up on your teeth and contains millions of bacteria. The bacteria in plaque cause tooth decay and gum disease if they are not removed regularly…”  If plaque is not removed through good dental hygiene at home and routine visits to the dentist’s office, it can harden on the teeth leading to the creation of calculus.  It is excess plaque and calculus that usually are associated with the onset of serious oral diseases.

During your visit, the hygienist will also perform a full evaluation of gum health, looking specifically for any deep pocket formations that may show separation between the teeth and gums, often signaling an oral issue.  In some cases, a patient experiencing gum problems may need a deeper cleaning to help prevent future gum disease.

Finally, your provider will evaluate the overall health of your mouth, tongue, and various soft tissues to ensure there is not an abundance of redness or swelling that could be caused by an oral issue.  After this thorough investigation, a care plan is created and discussed at length with the patient to ensure dental success for years to come.

What should you do after you leave the office?  Keep the good oral habits up!  Be sure to brush your teeth for at least two minutes, two times a day preferably with an electric toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste.  Following that up with flossing at least once a day to ensure debris and plaque between the teeth is removed.  Finally, use a mouthwash to aid in the prevention of plaque formation and ensure fresh breath.

Here at Horizon One Dental, we are committed to helping you reach the smile you desire!  Give us a call to book your appointment today at (239) 267-7385.