Why Visit A Dentist Regularly If You Have

Linda J. King, DDS, MAGD

Master of the Academy of General Dentistry

Regular exams and X-rays check for oral cancers, decay and periodontal problems

Examination inside the mouth includes the following Visual exam for any pathology (oral cancers and

growths)

Tactile exam for lumps and bumps

Gum exam for signs of inflammation and health

Tooth exam for any leaky fillings, cracked teeth and decay

X-Ray Examinations

Panoramic X-Ray goes around the whole mouth to reveal oral cancers, jaw joint problems, larger cavities, bone loss and gum disease

Bitewing X-Rays will show cavities between the teeth and bone loss

Full mouth series of X-rays will show where the level of the nerves are and any long standing abscessed teeth

Panoramic Xrays to checkAll teeth at once

Impacted teeth

Sinus problems

Jaw joint problems

Obvious Abscesses

Fillings, crowns and cavities

Simple- nothing goes in your mouth

Can be performed standing or sitting

Should be performed every 3-5 years to see progression of possible bone loss

Light assisted Oral Cancer Screening

Visilite Plus Oral Cancer ScreeningChecks for pigmentation under the skin

Cleaning and Whitening to boost self confidence

Just a cleaning is more than thatThe scraping and polishing still happens but now we are checking for signs of Inflammation

Diabetes

Heart Disease

Strokes

Abscesses Waiting to Happen

Although nothing hurts, conditions will drain your immune system causing Lack of energy and

vitality

Decrease in a healthy diet

Early detection for inflammation that something else may be going on in your health

Oral-systemic connection – just not about clean teeth

Periodontal problems

Missing teeth replaced by Dentures

Partial dentures

Bridges

Flippers

Implants

May develop certain problems if not checked on regularly

Older teeth are like slippers

Loose fitting dentures

Darker Teeth

Hard to chew with lower partial plate

Bone melted away

Many people who have dentures have had them for years

bone supporting the denture over time melts away causing dentures and partials not to fit quite as snugly as it should

This causes an overgrowth of tissue and possible irritation under the dentures

Partial dentures can loosen regular teeth and develop decay around them and should be checked for problems while they are small

Oral cancers may develop in irritated areas

Trying in Teeth to fit personality

Older dentures can show age

Ill fitting denture needed to be relined or remade. This denture was made before her natural teeth were removed.

New smile New life

Diabetes and dry mouth cause the upper denture to have a loose fit but the new denture makes Sybil look younger and happier.

Immediate Dentures to prevent embarrassment

Final Denture try in Sometimes people will keep their first set of teeth for ten years before thinking about making another one. LB waiting about 2 years because of health concerns.

Why Decay more in aging populations Medications

Lack of Dexterity due to arthritis

More gum recession causing root exposure

Lack of Saliva

Dietary

Habits-Cough Drops and peppermints

Posture over sink

How we can help to change Larger handled

Toothbrushes

Flossing is ideal but can use Go-Betweens or tooth-picks

Dry mouth medications

Awareness of habits

Get the plaque out

Rinses and pastes to help rebuild enamel and reduce the acids from plaque

Biotene products I love

Dentures are not the only solution

Sometimes you can’t just fix one toothBefore broke one front tooth

She needed back teeth

Professional cleaning reduces plaque acids and provide fluoride We Check the fit of the

prosthesis – relines or remakes are quite common every 3-5 years

We can tighten clasps around partial dentures and ultrasonically clean the prosthetic device

Sometimes the dentistry we had done twenty to thirty years ago is not as servicable such as bridge work and need special help to clean it

Nutrition with the five food groups is essential to good health.

Having teeth to help break down food is desirable in order to prevent tummy troubles

BUT

Having performed dentures and partials for a number of years, some people just can’t adapt to something artificial in Their mouth

Chewing is pleasurable and most social events revolve around eating with loved ones and friends

Lower dentures are not stable unless you have a lot of bone.

The bone melts away over time and eventually may melt into the nerve chambers making wearing lower full dentures more painful over time

Implant supported lower dentures may be a solution

Just like a regular denture or is it?

Locator attachments snap the denture into place preserving bone and preventing movement

Can always have more implants if there is more bone

Seeing a dentist for regular professional cleanings help detect early problems from getting worse and help better communicate with your physician

Thank you for your time and consideration