Preventative Dentistry  Framingham, MA

During your teeth cleaning appointments, you will also receive a dental exam performed by your Framingham dentist. Here is what you can expect:

•   Examination for potential cavities

•   Review of digital x-rays (if taken)

•   Check for signs of gum disease

•   Check for any developing oral health problems

Dental exams are incredibly important, allowing your dentist to review how your oral health may have changed over the past six months and identify any problem areas. This is also the time to discuss any concerns or questions with your dentist, whether you want to learn more about cosmetic dentistry or find out if you’re a good candidate for orthodontics.

A critical piece of every dental exam and six-month cleaning visit is an oral cancer screening by your Framingham dentist. Cancer of the mouth and throat is often not diagnosed until the condition has progressed to a late stage – but this can be avoided if you see your dentist regularly.

An oral cancer screening includes a check of the following:

•   Tongue

•   Lips

•   Cheeks

•   Palate

•   Floor of the mouth

•   Tonsils

•   Neck

The oral cancer screening is brief but thorough, and it is so important to your oral health and overall well-being.

Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. It is difficult for the untrained eye to spot signs of this infection in the early stages, yet another reason regular dental exams are so important. If you are suffering from gum disease, periodontal therapy will treat this problem, restore your mouth to a healthy place, and rebuild a foundation strong enough for restorative dentistry.

A strategic approach with focused treatment is necessary to control this chronic bacterial infection. Milder cases can often be treated with a visit or two to your Atlantis Dental hygiene team and dedicated at-home care. Advanced cases require a deeper cleaning under the gum line, which usually occurs over several dental visits.