Cleanings
We often hear the term ‘it’s just a cleaning’ when our patients arrive for their semi-annual appointments- but at Dr. Green’s office we feel that cleanings are the cornerstone to your dental care. At your cleaning appointment, we will update your medical history, take any necessary x-rays, assess your dental health, and remove the build up of harmful stain and bacteria from your teeth and gums. We’ll also assess your brushing habits and give you instruction on how to work with us to improve your oral health.
Our hygienists will be happy to explain each procedure and work very well as a team. We know each others strengths, and if we feel you’d be a good fit with one of our colleagues, we will try to place you with the personality that is the best fit for you. We believe that cleanings should be enjoyable, and we’ll do our best to make it a pleasant experience for you. Please remember, however, that you should visit us at least twice a year. If many years pass between cleanings we will work our hardest to ease you back into dental health, however it only makes things more difficult for all involved.
Fluoride
We recommend that all children under the age of 14 receive a fluoride treatment at each of their cleaning appointments. Fluoride is beneficial both in the ingested form (such as in drinking water or with a fluoride vitamin) and topical form (such as in toothpaste and fluoride treatments). Ingested fluoride strengthens teeth that are yet to erupt, and topical fluoride strengthens the teeth that are already present in the mouth. Although it is true that too much ingested fluoride can cause problems, fluoride given in a measured dose has been shown to reduce tooth decay by 40-60%. Our fluoride treatments are given in the form of a fluoride varnish, which is a very safe and effective way to deliver a measured dose of topical fluoride to your child’s teeth.
After your child has had a fluoride varnish applied, you may notice that it is visible on their teeth immediately following the appointment. This is entirely normal, and will wear off within a few hours. They are allowed to eat and drink, but should avoid extremely hot, crunchy or sticky foods, such as nachos, hot chocolate and gum. Please do not allow them to brush their teeth for 6 hours following a fluoride treatment. The goal is to get the maximum fluoride benefit by leaving the varnish in place as long as possible.
Periodontal Care
Oral health extends beyond fixing cavities and broken teeth. Periodontal care is the treatment of the gums and surrounding tissues of the teeth. Everyone has a normal level of bacteria living in their mouths- some of them harmful and some of them not. If left unchecked, these bacteria can flourish and can create acids that not only break down teeth and cause decay, but can break down the gum tissues and bone that support the teeth as well. Regular brushing and flossing at home is essential to controlling this bacteria. Regular visits to the hygienist are also an essential part of this process. Even with regular home care, bacteria can harden into ‘tartar’, which needs to be removed by a professional. Furthermore, if gums and bone begin to break down, ‘pockets’ can form in the gums which become more difficult to keep clean at home. Pockets become perfect areas for bacteria to grow and cause damage. Your hygienist can assess the periodontal health of your mouth. She may recommend more frequent visits, a change in brushing habits, or perhaps a visit to a gum specialist, called a periodontist.
X-Rays
In order to effectively screen patients for dental disease and cavities, we prefer to take dental x-rays on a regular basis. Bitewing x-rays are the smaller, more frequent x-rays. These are done on a yearly basis, and are used to look for decay. Without bitewing x-rays, it is impossible for the doctor to detect decay between your molars until the decayed area is very large.
Every 5 years we will also suggest a panorex x-ray. This is a larger film, and shows an overview of the patient’s entire jaw and mouth. This is useful in locating unerupted teeth, such as wisdom teeth, and tracking periodontal bone loss. A panorex is also useful for screening abnormalities in the underlying tissues.
If you have a toothache, we may also ask to take a periapical x-ray. This is a film of a single tooth or area in which there is pain or discomfort. It is not the same as a bitewing, as it also shows the root of the offending tooth.
For those who are concerned about dental x-rays, click here for an explanation of just how much radiation is involved in a bitewing.
Sealants
Sealants are a plastic coating that is applied to the biting surface of adult molars, often applied soon after the tooth has erupted. Back teeth often have deep fissures and grooves in them. These grooves are sometimes too small for even a toothbrush bristle to reach the bottom of, and therefore these teeth are quick to decay. Sealants fill the grooves. They are relatively easy and painless to apply, similar to ‘painting’ the top of the teeth.
Click here for a video explaining how dental sealants are applied.
Whitening
Many people today are concerned with the color of their teeth. While tooth whitening is certainly not a necessary procedure, it is important that you are happy with your smile and your appearance. Fortunately, whitening products are readily available in many forms. While these products may tend to cause your teeth to be more sensitive, when used properly they are not harmful to your tooth structure and often produce satisfying results.
At Dr. Green’s office, we do not do chairside whitening procedures. We have found that making custom bleaching trays for our patients is very effective and can be done for a much lower cost. If you are interested in whitening your teeth, please ask your hygienist about the process at your next cleaning appointment.
Mouthguards
If you are involved in contact sports, a mouthguard is an essential part of your sports equipment. A mouthguard not only helps to shield your teeth from being broken, but it also protects your lips and tongue from being injured by your teeth. Studies show that an athlete is 60 times more likely to have a dental injury if they are not wearing a mouthguard.
Mouthguards come in 3 basic forms. There are stock mouthguards, which are preformed and often a bit bulky. You can also purchase ‘boil and bite’ mouthguards, which are softened by boiling and then formed to the teeth by biting into them. However, the best fit and comfort is found in a custom made mouthguard. Let us know if you are interested in a custom made mouthguard.
TMJ
The term ‘TMJ’ stands for temporomandibular joint, which is the joint connecting our lower jawbone to our skull. This is something we all have. However, the term ‘TMJ’ is often used when this joint begins to malfunction. This is often accompanied by clicking, popping or pain. Often TMJ problems stem from the clenching and grinding of teeth, or an activity which displaces the joint, such as violin playing. Only in extreme cases do we refer patients for surgical intervention of a TMJ problem. More often, the problem can be solved with the use of a night guard. A night guard is a thin plastic mouthguard which keeps teeth from contacting each other while the patient is asleep. This prevents clenching and grinding during the night, when clenching and grinding is often the worst.