Prevention & Gum Care
Exams & Cleaning
The prescription for a healthy smile includes brushing, flossing and regular dental exams. Make no mistake about it, even if you brush and floss regularly – dental plaque and dental tartar are tough to beat. Just like an annual tune up for your car, your dental checkups are equally important. That is why Dr. Emma recommends twice yearly dental cleanings as one of the most important parts of your dental care regimen. Regular check-ups and cleanings will allow the staff at Cranberry Dentistry to monitor the health of your teeth treat problems and detect problems before they get worse.
If it’s been longer than a year since your last exam, we will recommend that you have a complete set of x-rays. Our dental hygienist will provide a dental cleaning to remove plaque and tartar buildup. And finally, Dr. Emma will check for cavities, gum disease, root decay, enamel erosion and bite problems like TMD. In the long run, these “tune-ups” can result in your teeth lasting a lifetime!
X-rays
Digital intraoral radiography (digital x-rays) is the latest technology used to take dental x-rays. Dental x-rays are an essential, preventative, diagnostic tool that provides valuable information not visible during a regular exam.
Digital x-rays reduce radiation by 80-90% compared to low exposure of traditional dental x-rays. Not only are digital x-rays better for your health and safety, they are also faster and more comfortable to administer.
Sealants
A sealant is a thin, plastic coating that is applied to the chewing surface of molars, premolars and any deep grooved teeth. Sealants are highly recommended for children once their permanent molars are grown in. A sealant will protect the teeth by sealing the deep grooves, creating a smooth easy to clean surface that and inhibiting dental decay that can begin in deep grooved teeth.
Mouth Guards
Sports Mouth Guards:
For those who engage and participate in any form of recreational or competitive sports activities, a sport mouth guard is an essential addition to your athletic equipment. If you or your children are involved with bike riding, skate boarding, skiing, gymnastics or other contact related sports, our team at Cranberry Dentistry is serious about protecting your teeth and gums from trauma.
Bite Splint:
If you grind your teeth at night, a special mouth appliance called a nocturnal plate or bite splint can be created to prevent tooth damage. A night mouth guard is recommended for those who are experiencing jaw pain, sleep apnea, awakening with headaches, and TMJ related symptoms. While ready-to-wear mouth protectors are readily available and inexpensive at drug stores and sporting good stores, they can be both bulky and ill-fitting.
Dr. Emma and the ADA recommend a custom-fitted mouth protector that is molded to your specific moth and tooth alignment. A properly fitted sports or night mouth guard is your best assurance and insurance in protecting your smile.
Gum Disease
Gum disease is reaching epidemic numbers in America. Over half of the adult population is suffering from some form of gum disease, periodontal disease, or periodontitis, is a common and chronic diseases that affects the gums, teeth, oral and overall health. It is caused largely by plaque that is allowed to remain on the teeth and gum lines. Left untreated, the gums begin to recede and a condition known as gingivitis develops. Early symptoms included red, swollen and bleeding gums during normal brushing and flossing. Left untreated, gum recession forms deep pockets which become breeding ground for bacteria. Tooth and supporting bone loss can be a serious and irreversible consequence of gum disease if left untreated.
Root Planing & Scaling
Root planing and scaling is one of the most effective ways to treat gum disease before it becomes severe. Root planning and scaling cleans between the gums and the teeth down to the roots.
Dr. Emma will use a local anesthetic to numb your gums and the roots of your teeth so that she is able to remove the hard mineral deposits (tartar) from your teeth.
Follow up dental care and dedicated care in brushing and flossing are important. Patients who are smokers or use tobacco products can experience a delayed healing and ability to fight infection.
Dr. Emma will be happy to talk with you about a plan of support for quitting or reducing your smoking habit.
Oral Cancer Screening
According to the American Cancer Society, more than 30,000 cased of oral cancer are diagnosed each year. The good news is that oral cancer can be easily diagnosed g during a routine dental exam. Oral cancer when caught in its early stages can be effectively treated.
An oral cancer examination is a totally painless process. During the exam, Dr. Emma and the dental hygienist will look & feel for abnormalities in the face, glands and neck and check for lesions in and on the lips, tongue, gums, and throat.