A Dental Check-Up is Anything but “Routine”
A healthy smile starts with great preventative care and routine exams with the Sapphire Dentistry team. During these appointments, we carefully evaluate the health and integrity of your teeth, existing restorations, and soft tissues. Why? So that we can help you prevent problems before they start!
The sooner we pinpoint concerns or issues related to your dental health, the less invasive and more affordable your treatment options will be. This compliments the health of your overall smile and could even save your life.
Your exam will consist of key elements such as:
Temporomandibular Joint (“TMJ”) Assessment
TMJ disorder can lead to a destruction of the jaw joint and pain that radiates through the muscles. It’s often associated with problems like:
- Headaches or migraines
- Worn, flat, or chipped teeth
- Popping and clicking in the jaw
- Difficulty chewing and biting
Oral Cancer Screenings
You don’t have to smoke or drink alcohol to develop oral cancer. Although these risk factors can increase your chance of disease, other sources include certain types of viruses and sun exposure.
Unfortunately, most oral cancer patients never realize that they have the disease until it is too late. This is where seeing a dentist could save your life. At Sapphire Dentistry, our dentists are expertly trained to evaluate the soft tissues for signs of pathology in their earliest stage. If we suspect any pre-cancerous tissues, we will perform a biopsy or refer you to an oral surgeon for further evaluation.
Periodontal Exams
Did you know that gum disease is the primary cause of tooth loss in adults? Periodontitis starts out as common gingivitis, but if untreated can spread deeper into the gums and bone, causing the tooth to lose structural support. Let our dentists know if you are experiencing symptoms such as:
- Bleeding gums
- Bad breath
- Problems with food catching in specific areas
- Sore or mobile teeth
- Receding gum lines
- Heavy tartar build-up
Caught early, gingivitis can be reversed. But untreated gum disease can impact more than your smile. Scientists have shown that it can have an impact on health conditions such as diabetes, stroke, and premature labour, among many others.
Oral Hygiene Instruction
Sometimes our teeth need a bit more attention than we already give them. During your exam, we’ll evaluate unique traits of your smile and recommend appropriate techniques or oral hygiene aids to help keep them clean.
Discussing Any Concerns or Questions You May Have
Your dental check-up is the perfect time to ask our Sapphire dentists about things like orthodontic therapy, dental implants, or booking that teeth whitening session. If something feels a bit “off” about your bite, please be sure to let us know. We’ll incorporate advanced screening tools and digital x-rays to evaluate every aspect of your smile so that you can keep it healthy for life!
Has it been more than six months since your last dental check-up? Call us today. Sapphire Dentistry is even open Saturdays. New patients are always welcome.