Your Personal Guide to Oral Health
At the practice of experienced cosmetic dentist Tim Kelly in Albuquerque, the oral health of our patients is the foundation of everything we do. A beautiful smile is a healthy smile, and our team of friendly, knowledgeable dental professionals does whatever it can to educate our patients so that they understand how best to preserve their oral health for a lifetime.
Love Them or Lose Them
Remember that you get only one set of adult teeth in your lifetime, and although the advanced restorative dentistry treatments available at our practice allow us to restore both form and function to mouths affected by missing teeth, it is always preferable to maintain the original teeth. Don’t take your oral health for granted. The healthy choices you make now will have a significant impact on the health and appearance of teeth for years to come.
By following a few simple recommendations, you can look and feel your best.
Twice-Yearly Visits to Our Dental Hygienist: Your Key to Good Oral Health
Routine dental hygiene visits are the best and most inexpensive investment you can make in the maintenance of your oral health. Our dental hygienist can monitor and even enhance the health of your periodontal, or gum, tissues. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that patients have their teeth professionally cleaned at least twice a year.
During your hygiene appointments, we will have the opportunity to evaluate your mouth for any potential problems, including cavities and irregular tissues that may indicate pre-cancerous growths. These appointments also allow us to monitor the health of your bone tissues, keep your breath fresh, and maintain the overall healthy appearance of your smile.
The greatest benefit of regular hygiene appointments, however, truly is the ability they provide us to maintain your gum health. Periodontal disease is the number-one cause of tooth loss among adults in the United States and, indeed, the most common disease in the nation, affecting roughly three-quarters of the population to varying degrees.
Fortunately, maintaining good gum health is a fairly simple and straightforward matter. Our team can help you look, feel, and be as healthy as you wish. For your part, simply follow a vigilant brushing and flossing regimen between visits, and you will avoid the pitfalls of periodontal disease.
Some Patients Benefit from More Frequent Cleanings
While twice-annual dental hygiene visits are sufficient for some patients, many benefit from a more rigorous routine. Unfortunately, some people are more susceptible to the accumulation of plaque than others, and controlling this plaque is essential to preventing cavities and gum disease. You may need to attend more frequent dental cleaning appointments if:
- You wear braces
- You take medications that dry out your mouth
- You use a CPAP machine when you sleep
- You smoke
- Your teeth are stained
- You have previously been diagnosed with gum disease
- You notice excess plaque building up on your teeth between twice-yearly appointments
The Value of Radiographs
Many people are concerned about the safety issues associated with traditional x-rays, and rightfully so. We take these concerns seriously and are quite aware of the risks of conventional dental radiography.
We also know how important dental radiography is as a diagnostic tool, which is why we use state-of-the-art x-ray equipment that produces up to 65-percent less radiation than equipment of the past. We have established strict guidelines for the usage and frequency of the taking of radiographs at our office. Every patient has unique needs, and the condition of the mouth varies from patient to patient.
The best way to minimize the need to take x-rays in your case is to keep your mouth in optimal condition by seeing our dental hygienist as recommended.
Schedule Your Dental Hygiene Visit Today
We are confident that we can partner with you to ensure that you enjoy all of the advantages of good oral health for the rest of your life. Let us help you. Contact our dental practice today to schedule your dental hygiene appointment today.
