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Dental Hygiene/Periodontal Health
In addition to the meticulous cleaning, polishing and examination of your teeth, we also take the time to help our patients develop proper oral hygiene habits at home. We'ill evaluate your hygiene techniques and make adjustments to your routine where needed. Dr. Woodson and his hygienists will also make suggestions for preventative measures such as dental sealants or nightguards to protect against bruxism & TMJ.
If we determine that you're suffering from gingivitis or more severe gum disease, we may recommend a root scaling or planing. These measures can be instrumental in preventing bone loss and helping you keep your natural teeth for a lifetime.
Oral Cancer Screenings
During every dental exam, Dr. Woodson checks oral tissues for lumps, red or white patches or recurring sore areas. This kind of screening for early changes in oral tissues can help detect cancer at a stage when it can be more successfully treated.
Tobacco use, especially combined with heavy alcohol consumption (30 drinks a week or more), is the primary risk factor for oral cancer. In fact, this combination is estimated to be the most likely trigger in about 75 percent of oral cancers diagnosed in this country. Other lifestyle and environmental factors also may increase your risk of developing oral cancer.
Scaling & Root Planing
Scaling and root planing is a non-surgical procedure in which the periodontist removes plaque and tartar from below the gum line. Root surfaces are cleaned and smoothed with specially designed instruments. It is important to remove the plaque and tartar from the pockets, because aside from the bacterial toxins that irritate gums, plaque and the rough surfaces of tartar make it easier for bacteria to gain a foothold.
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