Choosing an exceptional dentist and taking good care of your teeth and gums is no joke. The state of your smile depends on your daily efforts and who you choose as a dentist to round out those efforts. We want you to know that our Exceptional Dentistry team is always ready to help you create the smile you have always wanted. Today we have answers to the most frequently asked questions about your oral health so you can succeed in having the best oral health possible and an attractive smile. Now that’s a winning combination to help you feel more confident about your appearance! Having a trim body and beautiful hair won’t do much if your teeth are crooked, spaced, gapped, stained, or your bite is off. We always tell our patients that their oral health is closely tied to their general health (and mental health) when it comes to how they feel about themselves.
Why do regular dental visits matter?
You can’t go to the dentist twice a year and skip your regular daily oral hygiene routine and expect your smile to be healthy. It takes an ongoing commitment to keep your teeth and gums in optimal shape, and that means you also need routine professional dental cleanings along with your consistent oral care. During those visits, we examine your smile for any developing issues like cavities or gum disease and remove hardened plaque buildup (tartar) around the teeth and gum line. This hardened plaque – the sticky biofilm that you can feel when you run your tongue across your pearly whites needs to be removed regularly, and your daily brushing and flossing are what help keep it away between visits. So it’s a resounding “yes!” to seeing our dentist regularly so we can remove tartar from your teeth that threatens your smile with tooth decay and gum disease. When it comes to your teeth, an ounce of prevention truly is worth a pound of cure!
What are some signs that I should see the dentist?
There are many signs indicating that a trip to the dentist is in order, including sensitive teeth, swollen gums that bleed, persistent bad breath, a toothache, or even general mouth pain. If your teeth hurt, you might have a cavity or a receding gum line from inflammation or infection of the gums. Tooth sensitivity is one indication of this, so when you eat or drink something hot or cold, you may feel pain. Bad breath is another sign that something is wrong in your mouth. Halitosis has many causes like tooth and gum disease. This could be from lax dental hygiene, having a chronic dry mouth, taking certain medications, having cancer treatment, really it could be any number of factors. The good news is, if you have any concerns about your oral health, please remember that you can always call our office for help. We are happy to assist you with all of your dental concerns. In fact, that is our primary goal, to give you the highest-quality dental care your smile needs.
What can I expect during a dental checkup?
There’s a lot that happens at your routine dental cleanings. First, we will evaluate your smile, often using X-rays so we can spot problems early because that’s when they are easiest, most effective and least invasive (and least costly) to remedy! Once you wait until a problem results in pain, much damage may have already been done and it ends up costing you more in time, money, and energy later. Along with our evaluation and diagnosis, you can expect to have a deep teeth cleaning done, including removing tooth stains and polishing your pearly whites. If needed, we can give your teeth a protective fluoride treatment to boost your tooth enamel strength. Dental sealants on the back teeth are another option if you are cavity prone. Sealants and fluoride are both preventative measures that can keep your smile healthy longer.
How do I maintain a healthy smile?
That’s easy! As you’ve heard from us all the time, the best way to maintain a healthy smile is by keeping up with your daily oral hygiene care (and that means no skipping days). It doesn’t take long for oral bacteria to thrive. So make sure you brush your teeth every morning and every night before you go to bed. Remember to floss them at least once a day, and rinse your mouth with mouthwash daily for an extra boost of protection as it kills and washes away bad bacteria that leads to plaque. Complement your daily routine with…yes, you guessed it…visiting our dentist every six months for a professional dental cleaning and exam!
What should I look for when choosing a dentist?
If you are looking for a new dentist, there are a lot of factors to consider. Obviously, having a recommendation from someone you trust is a good choice. Other than that, you’ll want to take into account the cleanliness of the dental office, the convenience of the location of the office, and of course, the acceptance of your dental insurance benefits that can make your life easier when it comes to your smile. It’s important that your dentist-to-be is a current member of the American Dental Association (ADA). It’s also wise to see if the practice offers emergency hours because accidents can happen. One of the things we emphasize at Exceptional Dentistry is making our patients as comfortable as possible so that every visit is a positive experience. We want you to feel relaxed with our team for maximum comfort. Not only is Dr. James Powell a highly respected dentist in the community, but our practice goes the extra mile to give you a spa-like experience while you are with us. We want you to leave our office with a healthy, beautiful smile!
Call and Schedule Today!
We realize you may have additional questions or concerns that were not addressed in this blog. If that’s the case, we welcome you to 661.349.7725 to talk to a member of our caring dental team. You can also schedule a reservation online. Dr. James Powell and our team are here to give you the treatment and answers you need so you can care for your smile with optimal results!
