Get Ahead of Dental Health With Preventative Care

The dental staff at the Dental Studio of South Tulsa are trained and knowledgeable in some of the most modern dental techniques and procedures. As a patient of the Dental Studio of South Tulsa, you can be sure that you will receive the highest level of care even for the most basic cleaning services. We believe regular dental cleanings are critical not only for your dental health but also for your overall health and well-being. As you may know, dental and oral health problems left untreated may not only become painful, but they present the risk of spreading an infection to other parts of the body. That is why it is important to schedule your dental exams and cleanings to give yourself a head start on finding any possible problem areas. While regular brushing and flossing are helpful, some dental problems can only be corrected with professional dental tools. If you are a new patient, or it has been a while since you have visited our office, you may be a little nervous about visiting a dentist. While a dental checkup may be uncomfortable, it is less likely to be painful. Hopefully, the information we have provided for you will help put your mind at ease about your upcoming visit. With every dental exam, it is our aim to provide you with the best in care while minimizing your discomfort.

Preparing For Your First Exam

Before your first exam, you may need to take antibiotics if you are dealing with certain health conditions or if you have had a recent surgery. Please speak with our office to discuss the need for antibiotics. During your first visit, the dental hygienist may briefly exam your mouth to make sure there aren’t any obvious problems before your cleaning begins. If no problems are detected, the next step will be to order a set of dental x-rays. X-rays are helpful because they help us to spot tooth decay, misalignment of the jaw and other trouble areas that are difficult to detect by sight alone. We will then take the results of your x-ray along with your dental and medical history to discuss any significant findings such as medications that may be affecting your dental health. Using the results of the exam, the dentist will be able to give you some viable options to address any known issues. This is especially beneficial if you would like to prevent costly dental procedures down the road. If a cavity and/or several cavities are present in the x-ray, he will recommend a follow-up appointment to have them filled. You will also receive a professional cleaning by one of our highly-skilled dental hygienists as well as tips on using the proper techniques when brushing and flossing your teeth. During the exam, the dentist will look at your teeth and gums to see if they are healthy. If he discovers any gingivitis or other gum problems, he may recommend that you improve your brushing and flossing habits as well as using a medicated mouth rinse. For severe gum problems, the dentist may recommend a visit to a periodontist who is a specialist in diagnosing and treating gum disease. He will then check your bite to see how well the top and bottom teeth fit together. If he does discover any bite issues, he may refer you to an orthodontist. For children, he will also check to see if their teeth are developing normally. If bone loss and/or tooth development problems are found, the dentist may recommend more tests and/or dental treatments.

What Takes Place During A Cleaning

The first thing you may notice when you sit in the dental chair is a bright over light shining above you. This is important to help the dentist and dental hygienist see clearly inside your mouth. The dental hygienist will then remove as much of the plaque and tartar buildup that they can using small, metal dental tools to scrape it away. Plaque is a sticky film containing bacteria that coats the teeth. If left untreated, the plaque turns into tartar, a hard mineral deposit that can get trapped beneath the gum line and becomes hard to reach with simple brushing. Once the plaque and tartar are removed, the hygienist will then floss your teeth followed by brushing with a special electric toothbrush. A fluoride gel or foam is then applied to help prevent tooth decay which can lead to cavities.

Dental Checkups for Children

It is important to bring your baby in for their first checkup within six months of receiving their first tooth or by twelve months of age. Once their first checkup is complete, we recommend scheduling an exam every six months unless the dentist find a dental or oral health issue requiring more frequent visits.

Don’t Wait! Start Caring For Your Teeth Now

When you combine daily dental care, regular checkups and professional care for all your dental issues, we believe that you can achieve that smile you’ve been dreaming of! Take the next step towards improving your dental health and overall health by contacting our office to schedule your dental exam today!