Oral Hygiene

Good oral hygiene makes a difference throughout your life. If begun early, many of the problems discussed in these pages will never be experienced. This includes regular checkups at your general dentist's office, at least once a year. Your general dentist is your first line of defense. He or she will examine your mouth and will be able to take care of most of your needs. It is their evaluation that is required to determine your need for a specialist, such as a periodontist (gum disease), or an endodontist (root canals). If you feel that you have a problem with bleeding gums, bad breath or loosening teeth and you don't have a general dentist, we'll be happy to refer you to one of several very competent dentists with whom we have worked. If your dentist has already advised you to see a periodontist, we'll be happy to see you for a consultation. Once your dentist recommends that you see a periodontist, it is important to follow through and seek treatment as it may mean the difference between keeping your teeth for many years or losing them unnecessarily soon. In our office we will clinically evaluate your mouth using radiographs and simple measuring tools to determine the extent of disease progression. It is also important to realize that this is a disease and that it will progress (without discomfort), if left untreated, until all the affected teeth are lost. The Nonsurgical procedures we perform include a thorough cleaning, scaling and root planing. Below are images demonstrating basic flossing and brushing techniques. For professional cleaning information click here.

Floss BEFORE you brush.

Health gums

Inflamed gums
Gingivitis