Dental exams and teeth cleaning in Northern New Jersey

We welcome you and your family to come visit us. If you haven’t visited a dentist in a while, it’s okay. We’ll do our best to put you at ease. What’s important is that you have decided to get your dental health back on track. Before your exam, please let your dentist know if you’ve noticed any changes in your teeth alignment, tooth color, or the way your teeth fit together. During your initial dental exam, our dentist will be looking for:

• Decayed teeth
• Problems with your gums
• Previous fillings or crowns that are secure
• Early signs of oral cancer
• Bite alignment issues
• Signs you clench or grind your teeth at night

After your dental exam, your dentist will talk to you about the results of the exam. If there are any issues, there will be time to discuss your treatment options. Our staff is also ready to help if you have questions about your payment options, scheduling or your dental insurance. If you have insurance, it will usually cover both your exam and professional cleaning, but check with your provider to be sure.

We like to see our patients every six months for a dental exam in order to catch any issues before they cause you pain. Please call our office today to schedule your initial appointment. We look forward to meeting you.

Who Offers Teeth Cleanings and Periodontal Treatment in Northern New Jersey?

When bacteria sits on your teeth too long, it turns into plaque, a gelatinous film. Plaque sets the stage for cavities and gum disease, the two main reasons we lose our teeth. When we brush and floss at home, we can remove plaque, but it hides in difficult-to-reach areas and hardens, turning into tartar. A professional teeth cleaning by our dental hygienist removes plaque and tartar and makes your teeth smooth, so plaque has a hard time adhering to your teeth. Part of a professional cleaning includes a polishing with a gritty paste to remove surface stains. After this, your teeth will be healthier, smoother, and they will look brighter. We recommend you have a professional cleaning every six months.

Gingivitis, the mildest form of gum disease, is reversible with treatment. When you have gingivitis, your gums are bright red instead of a healthy pink and they may bleed when you brush your teeth. Getting rid of gingivitis is essential as it can easily lead to periodontitis. Periodontitis occurs when the plaque which was irritating your gums spreads below the gumline. In this instance, your gums separate from your teeth and the bacteria attacks the tissue and bone holding your tooth in place. You would require more invasive treatment to save your teeth. Please contact our office if you need gum disease treatment.

Can Dentists Cure Chronic Bad Breath?

Bad breath, or halitosis, is an embarrassing problem. Fortunately, dentists can usually cure your chronic bad breath by providing a deep cleaning and having you make oral health care changes at home. Bacteria is the cause of most of our patient’s chronic bad breath. Poor brushing and flossing habits leave bacteria in the mouth. If you don’t remove the bacteria from your tongue, this will also cause halitosis. Your dentist will suggest you have a dental cleaning if your oral care habits are lacking. This allows you to start your oral health regimen with perfectly clean, smooth teeth which bacteria cannot stick to easily. Your dentist will also make sure gum disease or extensive decay isn’t the problem. If you smoke, quitting will make your breath fresher. Please call us if you need help to treat the cause of your chronic bad breath.

Why Do Dentists Perform Oral Cancer Screenings?

We urge all of our patients over the age of 18 to get screened every time they come in for a dental exam. The screening is simple and painless; your dentist will examine your lips, tongue gums, insides of your cheeks, and the top and bottom of your mouth for sores, lumps and other irregularities. He or she will visually examine these areas and then feel for lumps. At our office, we screen everyone since oral cancer is a devastating, life-threatening disease unless it is caught early. Be sure to mention to your dentist any problems you’ve noticed, including pain, problems with your bite, or numbness. We screen for oral cancer as a precautionary measure; your dentist is not suggesting you have cancer when he or she performs the screening.

To see a dentist for a dental exam in Northern New Jersey which includes an oral cancer screening, please call our office. We look forward to meeting new patients.