Dental Exams & Teeth Cleaning in Yorktown Heights

Are You Looking for a Dental Practice Where You Can Get a Dental Exam in Yorktown Heights?

If you haven’t been to the dentist in awhile or you are looking for a new dentist, call us today to schedule a consultation. We would be delighted to help you get your oral health back on track.

When getting a dental exam, in addition to our dentist checking for cavities, the dentist will look for the early signs of more serious conditions, such as oral cancer. During your initial visit to our practice, we will ask you about your medical history. Please bring a list of the current medications you are taking with you. If you haven’t had a dental exam recently, you can expect our dentist to thoroughly examine your mouth for:

• Decayed teeth
• Cracked or loose teeth
• Damaged restorations
• Bite alignment
• Evidence you clench or grind your teeth at night
• Early warning signs of oral cancer
• Gum disease

After your exam, you’ll learn how it went and if your dentist found any issues. If so, you’ll learn about your treatment options, including the cost of each one. If you have questions, please feel free to ask our dentist or any member of our staff. At our office, we like to think of our patients as full partners in their oral health care. We’re here to help you. Please call us today if you would like to schedule an initial appointment. We welcome new patients.

Which Dentists Are Experienced in Teeth Cleanings and Treatment for Gum Disease?

At our dental practice, we have experience with both dental teeth cleanings and gum disease treatment. A teeth cleaning twice a year is an excellent way to keep plaque and tartar from building up on your teeth, especially near the gumline. Plaque build up can cause cavities and gum disease. During your cleaning, our dental hygienist will scrape off hardened plaque from your teeth and professionally floss them. This does not hurt, but if you experience any discomfort, our dentist can apply a topical anesthetic to your gums. Your dental hygienist will also polish your teeth to remove surface stains and make your teeth smooth. It’s more difficult for plaque to stick to smooth teeth.

A dental cleaning is also a treatment for gingivitis. Gingivitis occurs when plaque and tartar irritate your gums and make them inflamed. You may notice your gums have become bright red and puffy and they are painful when touched. They may bleed when you brush your teeth or floss. If you suspect you have gingivitis, we urge you to call our office for an appointment. Gingivitis is a mild form of gum disease which can progress to periodontal disease, a more advanced form of gum disease requiring periodontal treatment. Periodontitis is an infection that destroys the tissue and bone supporting your teeth. Without treatment, your teeth will become loose and fall out.

How Do Dentists Treat Bad Breath?

Are you self-conscious about your breath all the time? You don’t have to be; dentists are experts at counseling their patients about how to stop bad breath instead of covering it up. Please call us for an appointment and our dentist can determine the reason for your bad breath and suggest ways to treat it. Don’t feel embarrassed; we have many patients who come in with this problem.

The main reason why people have chronic bad breath is poor oral hygiene habits. Your dentist will go over your brushing and flossing habits and suggest products, such as an inexpensive tongue scraper, which will make them more effective. Bad breath can also come from gum disease, which your dentist can treat. If you smoke, quitting will help eliminate your bad breath. A constantly dry mouth will also cause bad breath as there isn’t enough saliva to wash food particles and bacteria away. Your dentist may suggest artificial saliva or chewing sugarless gum.

Why Do Dentists Screen for Oral Cancer?

Your dentist is your first line of defense against oral cancer. He or she is in a good position to notice anything suspicious. At our office, the dentist will perform a simple, five-minute oral cancer screening during the dental exam. We screen all our adult patients since oral cancer can be both disfiguring and life-threatening if it isn’t caught early. While people who smoke or drink alcohol excessively are at a higher risk for oral cancer, people who don’t have any risk factors can also get the disease. If our dentist finds any irregular tissue, lumps or sores that won’t heal, he or she will recommend a biopsy or suggest you come back in two weeks to see if the sore has healed.

For a dental exam in Yorktown Heights, please call our office to schedule an appointment.