Keeping Your Smile in the Best of Health
While regular brushing and flossing are an important part of keeping your teeth and gums healthy, certain areas are often overlooked. During your biannual checkups, we can address any issues and ensure your oral health is in excellent condition.
At our Wheaton office, we offer professional cleanings and exams to help prevent tooth decay and keep your teeth looking their best. Regular visits to Dr. Hausten for cleanings and exams will ensure your smile stays beautiful for years to come.
The Importance of Professional Cleanings
Every six months, it’s important to see Dr. Hausten and her team for a professional cleaning. Starting at your child’s first visit and on, we work with patients of all ages to help ensure that good cleaning habits are developed. The process of a routine teeth cleaning includes:
Scaling – Tarter is removed from your teeth by gently scraping it away, thereby preventing gum disease and tooth decay.
Polishing – A small rubber motorized head is used to polish your teeth. By smoothing the surface of your teeth, they’ll look shiny and clean. The smooth surface makes it difficult for plaque to buildup on your teeth.
Fluoride – After your teeth have been cleaned and polished a fluoride treatment can help strengthen the enamel of your teeth and prevent tooth decay.
Oral Examinations
Every six months we’ll take x-rays of your teeth and Dr. Hausten will fully examine your oral health. These exams help Dr. Hausten spot cavities and other issues that can damage your oral health before they become problematic and require more expensive and invasive treatments.
Some of the areas we assess during an exam include:
- Overall health and oral hygiene
- Risk of tooth decay, root decay, and gum or bone disease
- Need for tooth restoration or tooth replacement
- Checking your bite and jaw for problems
- Assess your need for fluoride
- Digital X-rays or other diagnostic procedures
Frequently Asked Questions
In addition to participating in a regular oral hygiene routine of brushing twice daily, flossing every day, and rinsing between meals, you’ll want to schedule biannual appointments with our office for professional cleanings and checkups.
Here are a few detailed tips on how to improve your at-home oral hygiene regimen:
- Position your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle near the gumline
- Clean your tongue
- Protect your teeth with mouthguards if you grind or play sports
- Brush your teeth with a toothpaste containing fluoride
- Keep your gums strong with Vitamin D and calcium
- Avoid foods high in sugar or starch
Remember, prevention is better than a procedure. Some people wait to visit the dentist until something goes wrong, but it’s a much better plan to visit the dentist before that happens. With regular professional cleanings and checkups, we can help prevent tooth decay and catch any issues before they become problematic.
Prior to a scaling and root planing procedure, you’ll likely receive a local anesthetic and won’t feel a thing. During the procedure, our dental hygienist will scale, or remove, all the plaque and tartar from your teeth and roots’ surfaces. During root planing, the root’s surfaces will be smoothed to keep plaque, tartar, and bacteria from invading beneath the gum line.
There are various reasons we lose our permanent teeth. Some are preventable and sometimes it’s due to trauma. The most common cause for tooth loss in adults is periodontal disease, also called advanced gum disease, which accounts for 70% of tooth loss. Other reasons include tooth decay, bruxism (grinding), and misaligned teeth.
While it may be impossible to prevent some accidents, most causes of tooth loss can be prevented with proper oral care, professional cleanings, and regular checkups with Dr. Hausten.
If you have tooth mobility or have lost a tooth, schedule an appointment with Dr. Hausten by calling (630) 653-3440. During the appointment, she’ll examine your oral health and get to the root of the problem and provide you with solutions.
Losing a tooth can be a traumatic experience and it can lead to bigger problems than merely having a gap in your smile. When you’re missing a tooth, that area is no longer stimulated by chewing forces. This leads to bone reabsorption or bone loss.
Over time, missing teeth can eventually cause your jaw to shrink and change the shape of your face and smile. Teeth tend to shift position to fill the gap, further damaging your smile. In the event that you lose a tooth, Dr. Hausten may recommend a dental implant or bridge, depending on your oral health and smile goals.
Most causes for tooth loss can be prevented by brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing every day, and rinsing your mouth between meals. In addition to a regular oral hygiene routine, it’s important to schedule biannual professional cleanings and checkups with our office so we can make sure your dental health stays on the right track.
Contact Your Wheaton Dentist for a Cleaning and Exam
Dental cleanings are usually done in an hour and are virtually pain-free. Dr. Hausten will make sure your teeth are clean and healthy while checking for signs of any complications or issues that may need treatment. Schedule your cleaning and exam appointment today by calling (630) 653-3440. We’ll keep your smile looking and feeling it’s best!
