Gingivitis and Oral Health
Do you have gingivitis? At least 75% of people have some kind of gum disease. Gingivitis is the first stage, and then it progresses to periodontal disease or pyorrhea. If your gums bleed when you brush or floss, it means you have gingivitis or gum disease.
At Aabsolutely Smiles, we will do a thorough periodontal evaluation to determine if you need deep cleaning or something more routine. One of the most important things we do is to help you find a way to keep your teeth cleaner every day.
We will show you ways to REALLY clean your teeth and to have a healthy mouth.
Good oral health can lower your future dental costs and reduce your risks for diseases that could affect the rest of your body. For instance, there is a strong correlation between dental infection and heart disease. Dangerous bacteria from the gums can get into the bloodstream and cause clotting that leads to heart attack or stroke. We can help you reduce your risk of dental infection and heart disease by treating and preventing gum disease before it gets out of control.
If you have periodontal disease, it may require a few visits with a gum disease specialist or periodontist. We coordinate your treatment to ensure that you can make informed decisions based on what is best for you, both financially and for your oral health.
Find out more about our special deep cleanings to control gingivitis.
Oral Cancer
Oral cancer kills one person every hour in the United States. We use the ViziLite ® test for early detection of oral cancer. Even if you don’t smoke or use chewing tobacco you may be at risk for oral cancer; 28% of new cases have no know risk factors. Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is a risk factor for oral cancer. The death rate has not decreased in the past 40 years. Why? Continued lack of early detection. We can change that!
Oral Cancer Screenings and Insurance
You can schedule an appointment for just the ViziLite oral cancer test and many insurance plans will pay for it for patients who are over the age of 40. Check with your dental insurer about oral cancer screenings and insurance coverage. Click here to schedule an appointment.
Bruxism, Bad Breath and Oral Health
Teeth grinding, known as bruxism, can cause teeth to chip and wear down, leading to gum recession and tooth sensitivity. When teeth get worn down, it can affect a lot of things, even your facial shape—your chin and nose come closer together because your teeth are shorter. Teeth that are worn off at the gum line or close to it are very difficult to rebuild. Preventing premature wear on the teeth is important in avoiding extensive, costly dental work in the future.
How We Work
We don’t rush your appointment. YOU are important to us and we look at our clients/patients as friends. We know that some diseases can show up first in your mouth, so we are always looking for symptoms. Even bad breath may indicate a more severe problem, like gum disease, tooth decay or diseases and conditions like diabetes. Your dental hygienist can be the bellwether of your health.
The important thing in oral health is to catch such tell tale signs before it’s too late.
