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Dental Hygiene/Periodontal Health
In addition to the meticulous cleaning, polishing, and examination of your teeth, we also take the time to help our patients develop proper oral hygiene habits at home. We will evaluate your hygiene techniques and make adjustments to your routine where needed. Our doctor and hygienists will also make suggestions for preventative measures such as dental sealants or nightguards to protect against bruxism & TMJ.
If we feel that you are suffering from gingivitis or more severe gum disease, we may recommend a root scaling or planing as part of a periodontal infection elimination program. These measures can be instrumental in preventing bone loss and helping you to keep your natural teeth. Dr. Varano and our hygienists have had extra training and experience in this field, and have developed a program which we will tailor to your situation.
Oral Cancer Screenings
During a dental exam, the doctor will check your neck and oral tissues for lumps, red or white patches or recurring sore areas.
Screening for early changes in the oral tissue can help detect cancer at a stage when it can be more successfully treated.
Smoking, especially combined with heavy alcohol consumption (30 drinks a week or more), is the primary risk factor for oral cancer. In fact, this combination is estimated to be the most likely trigger in about 75 percent of oral cancers diagnosed in this country. Other lifestyle and environmental factors also may increase your risk of developing oral cancer.
Scaling & Root Planing
Scaling and root planing , especially as part of our Soft Tissue Management Program ,is a non-surgical treatment in which the hygiene team removes plaque , bacteria , and tartar from below the gum line. Root surfaces are cleaned and smoothed with specially designed instruments and medications. It is important to remove these elements from the pockets, because the bacterial toxins irritate the gums, while plaque and the rough surfaces of tartar provide a haven for bacteria to infect the gums and jawbone which hold and support the teeth.
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