Coming to the dentist is more than just checking for cavities. While cavities are important to get fixed, we are also checking for periodontal disease (gum disease), any changes in the bone surrounding your teeth, and oral cancer. We are assessing all of these things and much more when you come to your routine dental cleanings. This is also why x-rays are so important! X-rays allow us a special glance into your teeth and bone to allow us to see cavities and evaluate the bone around your teeth.

Periodontal disease is inflammation of the gum tissue caused by a bacterial infection. When bacteria invade below the gum line several things can happen. Initially, there are no symptoms. As the disease progresses, the gums may bleed or swell or become sore. Long term results are recession, sensitivity to cold, bone loss, and eventual tooth loss. While periodontal disease is not curable, we can prevent it from getting worse. This requires more frequent cleaning appointments.

We recommend brushing every morning and every evening for 2 minutes each time. In addition, we like for our patients to floss. If you’re not flossing everyday, you aren’t cleaning 40% of the surface of your teeth! Dr. Helf also recommends a fluorinated, non-alcohol based mouthwash and a tongue scraper for “A+” at your next cleaning.

Many patients are okay to be seen 2x a year for a cleaning and updated x-rays; however, if we assess your teeth and find periodontal disease, we do recommend increasing your visits to 4x a year. This helps keep the bacteria that causing the periodontal disease at bay, allowing us to control your periodontal disease.

Most simply put, a cavity is an infection caused by bacteria in your tooth. The bacteria multiples and breaks down the surrounding tooth structure. The size of the cavity dictates the treatment (filling, crown, root canal, extraction). We typically like to fix cavities when they are small, since the treatment is smaller and less costly,

When you come in for your dental cleaning you will receive a toothbrush. We suggest replacing your old toothbrush with the new one. At a minimum, we recommend every 6 months, however, recent studies have shown that a 3 month replacement interval may be healthier. 

Yes! This exact scenario is why Dr. Helf has an In Office Savings Plan. This plan allows patients a means to preventative care for as little as $1/day. One perk is that it has no maximum (set my insurance companies) and no waiting period (set by insurance companies). During your first cleaning appointment we will tell you which plan you qualify for.

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