Dental Exams in Norwood
Also Offering Dental Services for the Greater Norwood area including Westwood, Walpole, Canton, and Dedham MA
The Pediatric and Family Dentistry of Norwood team wants to make you aware of the ways you can prevent dental problems before they start. When you are proactive about getting regular professional exams and practicing at-home oral hygiene, you greatly reduce your risk of developing cavities, gum disease and other dental problems.
At-Home Care for Your Teeth and Gums
The goal of at-home hygiene habits is to eliminate bacteria from your mouth. The longer the bacteria stay in your mouth, the more susceptible you are to dental disease. Bacteria that builds forms a sticky film called plaque. The formation of plaque leads to problems such as cavities and gum disease.
Brushing Tips
Dr. Liakos and our team urge you to brush your teeth twice a day and floss once a day. Brushing and flossing technique is just as important as consistency. When brushing, we recommend you brush in a circular pattern, starting at your gumline and working toward the center of the mouth. Brush your teeth in quadrants (i.e., upper left, upper right, lower left, lower right) and spend at least 30 seconds brushing each quadrant. Use a small amount of pressure and be careful not to scrub the teeth too hard. Use a fluoride toothpaste, as fluoride helps to strengthen tooth enamel.
Flossing Tips
When flossing, wrap your piece of floss around each tooth in a C shape and move the floss up and down the side of the tooth, making sure to get below the gumline. Floss slowly and make sure you don’t skip the contact areas in between any teeth. If you have arthritis or dexterity problems, you may find plastic flossing tools or a water flosser easier to maneuver.
After you have brushed and flossed your teeth, you can rinse with water or a fluoride-containing mouthwash to eliminate any lingering food particles.
Professional Dental Exam Details
Your teeth have many grooves that simply can’t be cleaned with at-home oral hygiene. Moreover, if plaque builds up it can harden into tartar, which is not removable with a toothbrush or floss. This is why it is important to see our team regularly for professional dental exams.
During an exam, we will use special instruments and techniques to remove bacteria, plaque and tartar from your teeth and gumline. We will also floss and polish your teeth, after which our doctors will perform a thorough examination of your entire mouth, checking for signs of cavities, gum disease, oral cancer and other problems. A set of X-rays can also help reveal more information about your oral health status.
Our team may ask you questions about your at-home oral care habits, lifestyle, medical history or personal risk factors to get a clearer idea of your oral health. Our hygienists will also demonstrate brushing or flossing techniques and provide product recommendations to optimize your hygiene routine.
Why Should I Go In for a Dental Exam?
Professional exams are a good opportunity to discuss potential ways to improve your smile, whether it is through a cosmetic dentistry treatment or by replacing older restorations with modern, tooth-colored options.
We generally recommend everyone visit us at least every six months for an exam. We can advise whether you need to come in more frequently based on your oral health.
Request an Appointment Today
To request an appointment for a professional dental exam today, please give us a call or send us an email.
