There are so many important things that you can do to care for your smile every day at home. However, professional assessments and cleanings are equally important. Today, our Novato dentists are here to help you better understand the ins and outs of professional dental care.
When you come in for your appointment, we’ll get you settled into the dentist’s chair, and ask you whether you’ve noticed any dramatic changes to your smile lately. Then, we’ll get to work…
-Checking for cavities: our dental team will look for spots of dental discoloration, which can indicate an infection. We may also probe the enamel, looking for soft spots. We may also take x-rays of your smile, which can show us otherwise invisible areas of infection.
-Screening for oral cancer: regularly conducted screenings allow our team to catch cancerous or pre-cancerous tissues in their earliest stages. Early detection can make all of the difference when it comes to treating all types of oral cancers.
-Helping you tweak your at-home oral hygiene routine: as we assess your smile, we’ll be able to pinpoint any areas of your daily oral health routine that may need to be optimized. For example, you may benefit from adding a mouth rinse in the morning or before bed, or switching up your toothbrush.
-Making long-term dental plans: one of the benefits of working with our comprehensive dental team is that we can help you make a long-term plan for your smile: everything from cosmetic to restorative, to preventive treatments.
The ADA recommends that patients of all ages complete dental cleanings every six months or so. Even if it has been years since you have been in to see your dentist, it is never too late to get back on track. As always, our Novato family dentists are here to answer any questions that you may have and to give you all of the information and guidance that you need.