Dental Exams and Teeth Cleanings in Elk Grove, CA

Preventive dentistry, including exams and teeth cleanings, is about avoiding dental problems by being proactive with your oral health. It's about finding and treating cavities and gum disease early to spare you discomfort and costly procedures in the future.

At Laguna Springs Dental, our goal is to help you enjoy a healthy smile that functions well and looks beautiful. When you stay current with these preventive services, we can help you maintain a healthy, problem-free smile. Please call our Elk Grove, CA, dental office to schedule your next checkup and cleaning!

The Mouth-Body Connection

Did you know that oral health and overall health are closely linked? Numerous articles and studies have been published on this subject, like this one from the Academy of General Dentistry. While research on the exact nature of this connection continues, there's evidence that links periodontal disease to health issues like heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.

Preventive Dentistry: The Key to Oral Health

Regular teeth cleanings and checkups are key to preventing dental problems and maintaining optimal oral health. Even if you brush and floss like a pro, plaque and tartar still build up in hard-to-reach places like between teeth.

The general rule of thumb is to schedule these appointments every six months. However, our Elk Grove dental office may recommend more frequent visits if you have a history of cavities or gum disease.

What Is Plaque, and Why Is It a Problem?

Plaque develops when oral bacteria combine with saliva and food particles, forming a biofilm that sticks to your teeth. As bacteria feed on sugars from food and drinks, they produce acid that erodes the enamel and causes cavities and causes gum disease.

If you don't remove plaque with consistent oral hygiene and routine teeth cleanings, it hardens into a substance called tartar. You can't remove tartar with your brush and floss, so bacteria build up along the gums and cause periodontal disease.

During a teeth cleaning, our hygienist uses specialized tools to gently remove plaque and tartar. They will also polish your teeth to remove surface stains and give you a fresh, bright smile.

Our hygienists are very skilled and gentle, so your routine teeth cleaning will be painless and efficient. After your cleaning, your hygienist will provide tips on maintaining good oral hygiene at home, including brushing and flossing techniques.

What If Your Hygienist Finds Gum Disease?

If our hygienist finds gum disease, they will talk to you about additional treatment to prevent it from progressing. It's crucial to follow through with their recommendations because, without treatment, gum disease leads to serious problems like tooth loss and bone loss in the jaw.

Comprehensive Dental Exams in Elk Grove

During a routine dental checkup, Dr. Albik will examine your teeth and gums for signs of decay, gum disease, or other oral health issues. He uses a device called an intraoral camera to get a closer look at the inside of your mouth to see details not visible with a visual exam.

The images appear in real-time on a monitor, giving you a front-row seat to your dental exam! You can see exactly what he sees, so if he recommends treatment, you can understand why and how it will benefit you.

Our dentist also checks your jaws and dental bite at this appointment to ensure proper function. Sometimes, he may recommend x-rays to get a closer look at your teeth. For your safety, every routine exam also includes an oral cancer screening to check for abnormalities.

Are You Due for a Dental Checkup?

Prevention is the key to maintaining a healthy smile. With routine teeth cleanings and checkups, the team at Laguna Springs Dental can help you stay a step ahead of problems that threaten your oral health. Please call our Elk Grove, CA, dental office to schedule an appointment.

If you're due for a teeth cleaning or checkup, we invite you to schedule an appointment today. We look forward to helping you maintain a healthy, beautiful smile!