In accordance with the American Dental Association’s recommendations, Leading Edge Dentistry encourages patients to schedule routine checkups and cleanings at least two times every year. These six month checkups allow us to evaluate lips, cheeks, throat, and gums for oral cancer, as well as complete screenings for periodontal disease and other common oral health concerns. The dentist also completes a thorough tooth by tooth evaluation, looking for decay or dental wear, and he additionally checks past restorations for signs of damage, recommending replacements when needed. Leading Edge Dentistry often recommends patients exchange metal restorations with tooth-colored alternatives.
Checking for signs of concern twice a year allows us to prevent extensive dental concerns and reduce patients’ risks for developing oral health issues. By diagnosing and treating concerns in the earliest stages, we help patients preserve natural dental structure. Even a minor cavity left untreated can develop into severe dental decay or even spread to surrounding teeth. Unlike a cold, tooth decay will not go away without treatment. Similarly, gum disease starts as mildly uncomfortable gingivitis with minor symptoms like bleeding while flossing or change in gum tissue coloring. Left untreated, gum disease develops into periodontitis, which may lead to tooth loss.
Whether it’s been six months or six years since your last dental checkup, contact our team to schedule your appointment. We welcome patients of all ages to our Marietta practice.
Professional Dental Hygiene (Teeth Cleanings)
From about the age of five, patients should visit a dentist two times each year for professional teeth cleanings. Our skilled hygienists offer gentle cleanings that remove bacteria, plaque, and tartar from even the hardest to reach areas of teeth. Additionally, our hygienists screen for periodontal disease, make recommendations for the best at-home hygiene routines, and answer your oral health questions. Our hygienists are dedicated to preventing potential damage caused by periodontal disease, but for those patients who do suffer from the condition, we offer a number of treatment options, including:
- More frequent professional cleanings
- Changes to at-home hygiene routines
- For more advanced stages, scaling that removes plaque and tartar from below the gum line and root planing that smooths the tooth roots to prevent plaque build-up
- Topical antibiotic therapy with Arestin that removes bacteria and protects gums as they heal
Call to make your six-month hygiene appointment today. We’re happy to help patients achieve and maintain their optimal level of oral health with regular dental checkups and professional cleanings.