Dental exams and teeth cleaning in Jacksonville

Dental Checkups: What They Are and Why You Need Them

The American Dental Association recommends biannual checkups, but some people might need a more frequent dental visit schedule, including those who:

• Have gum disease
• Have a history of plaque buildup or cavities
• Have a weakened immune system
• Are suffering from certain health problems or stress

You should also plan to schedule a dental exam to address any new or bothersome symptoms, such as a toothache, lost or loose restorations, and bleeding gums.

During your dental exam in Jacksonville, our dentist will evaluate the health of your teeth and gums, check your restorations for wear, and ensure your smile is as healthy as possible. We may make recommendations to help you further reduce your risk of preventable dental diseases like tooth decay and gum disease. The dental checkup cost is typically covered by dental insurance.

If you haven’t had a checkup in a while, now is a great time to call and schedule yours at our dental office in Jacksonville.

Dental Cleanings for Sparkling Smiles

At your checkup, our team will also clean your teeth. While you brush and floss daily at home, professional dental cleanings are still essential in much the same way you’ll need to deep clean your home periodically even though you clean daily.

During your teeth cleaning, we’ll remove tartar using special tools. Tartar is a mineralized substance that cannot be removed with brushing and flossing alone,. We’ll also remove plaque, a sticky biofilm that is full of oral bacteria. When oral bacteria process the sugar and starches in the foods you eat, they release an acidic byproduct, which erodes your teeth. Over time, a cavity can develop.

Managing oral bacteria through thorough brushing, daily flossing, and periodically deep cleaning teeth at our dental office in Jacksonville is your best defense against cavities. We remove all traces of plaque and bacteria using professional tools and techniques for perfectly clean teeth that sparkle.

Call our Jacksonville offices today to schedule your dental deep cleaning and dental exam.

Periodontal Therapy

Oral bacteria attack not only teeth but also gum tissue. The gums support and surround your teeth, but the bacteria in plaque can irritate and inflame the sensitive tissue. You might notice that your gums look red and puffy, or they might bleed when you floss. This is gingivitis, the earliest stage of gum disease. To treat gingivitis, a thorough dental exam is in order. We may also recommend an antimicrobial mouth rinse.

Caught in its earliest stages, gum disease typically responds well to gum disease treatment. If it advances, however, pockets can develop along the gumlines. Your gums might look as if they’re pulling away from your teeth, and you might notice that your breath smells bad even when you’ve just brushed.

Bacteria grow in these pockets, and neither your toothbrush nor dental floss can reach them. To clean the pockets, you’ll need a deep cleaning periodontal treatment called “scaling and root planing” or SRP. Periodontal disease weakens both the gums and the supporting tissues of your teeth. It can lead to tooth loss and necessitate dentures.

Receding gums, chronic bad breath, and gaps along the gumline can all indicate the presence of periodontitis. Don’t delay. Call our office to schedule a teeth cleaning in Jacksonville and get back on track to good gum health.

Bad Breath? Tackle It at the Source

Bad breath is a common complaint, and the causes can range from minor to serious. Understanding the causes of bad breath can help you know better how to get rid of bad breath.

The most common causes of bad breath include:

• Diet
• Dry mouth
• Tobacco
• Poor dental hygiene
• Dentures
• Periodontal disease

At our offices in Jacksonville during your dental exam, we offer bad breath remedies to cure your bad breath and its underlying causes. If you’ve been wondering how to cure bad breath, we can help. Call us to schedule your evaluation.

Screening for Oral Cancer

Oral cancer is the most common head and neck cancer, and it is often not diagnosed until advanced stages because it has few symptoms. We make these screenings a routine part of your dental checkup to help you stay healthy.

During the screening, we’ll check your mouth for any abnormalities, including:

• Bumps
• Discolorations
• Growths
• Sores
• Rough spots

Our dentist in Jacksonville will examine all soft tissues in your mouth, including your tongue, the inside of your cheeks, your lips, your soft and hard palates, your gums, and the floor of your mouth.

Any abnormalities may indicate the need for further oral cancer test procedures. The oral cancer screening cost is covered by most dental insurers, but you’ll need to check with yours to ensure they cover the test for oral cancer.

Call our offices today to schedule your next dental exam in Jacksonville.