Cleanings, Gum Therapy, and Cancer Screenings

It’s no secret that routine dental care is critical to your overall health. But some don’t realize just how connected your oral health can be to your overall well being. A simple check of your mouth and gums could reveal larger health problems that need to be treated. This is why preventative dental cleanings and screenings are so important!

Our team at Bain Dental Group takes a comprehensive approach to our dental care. With qualified and compassionate care, our professional team will do a full cleaning and exam, but also a check of your gums and a cancer screening.

As general dentists at a family dentistry practice, we are adamant that our patients get bi-annual cleanings and exams. Whether you’re 2 years old or 100 years old, these cleanings and exams are crucial to diagnosing bigger issues, as well as preventing harmful oral health issues like gum disease and tooth decay.

During your appointment, one of our dental hygienists will start with an oral exam.

Then, they’ll clean your teeth so they’re pearly white and remove any plaque buildup that’s tough to get with your toothbrush.

After that, they’ll floss your teeth and have you rinse, as well as apply fluoride for extra strength and protection!

Sometimes during the oral exam our hygienists will notice redness, swelling, and/or tenderness in the gums. This means you could have periodontal disease, otherwise known as gum disease, which left untreated could lead to a more serious medical issue like:

• Diabetes
• Heart disease
• High blood pressure

If you’ve been noticing any of the below symptoms, be sure to schedule an appointment:

• A change in gum color—purple or bright or dark red
• Sensitivity to the touch
• Blood when flossing or brushing your teeth
• Persistent bad breath
• Painful chewing
• Receding gum line

If we find that you have gum disease, our dentists and hygienists will use gum therapy treatment to restore your gums back to health.

Gum therapy treatment includes a combination of the below treatments, prescribed based upon your individual diagnosis:

• Deep scalings which remove plaque buildup from beneath your gum line
• Antibiotic treatments placed under the receding gum line
• Prescription rinses to treat and protect against further damage
• Increased dental cleanings throughout the year

In more severe cases, your dentist may prescribe further treatment options to ensure your gums are healthy, preventing potentially harmful health risks.

In addition to gum disease, we also perform oral cancer screenings. Just as you go to the dermatologist to check for skin cancer, our dentists check for oral and oropharyngeal cancers. This screening includes a check of:

• Lips
• Cheeks
• Roof of the mouth
• Throat
• Tongue
• Gums

It’s simple and efficient. If we find anything abnormal, we will work with you on further testing for an official diagnosis, as well as a treatment plan to ensure you’re kept healthy and strong.