Dental Exams & Teeth Cleaning in Fredericksburg

Do You Need a Dental Exam in Fredericksburg? We Can Help!

Americans are encouraged to schedule a dental exam and cleaning at least twice a year. Good dental health doesn’t just happen by chance. Just like you see your doctor for routine checkups, you also need to schedule routine dental checkups. At your exam and cleaning, our Fredericksburg dental care team will review your at-home dental hygiene routine and lifestyle factors to ensure you’ve got the best chance of making the most out of your smile. Here’s everything you need to know.

Teeth exams check more than just your teeth. During this appointment, we will check all oral structures to ensure continued good health and make targeted recommendations to reduce the risk of dental disease. At your next appointment, we’ll check for:

• Tooth decay or cavities
• Gum disease
• Bone loss
• Teeth grinding
• Oral cancer

If you have dental insurance, the dental exam cost may be fully covered, meaning you’ll have no out-of-pocket expenses for this essential care. Now is a great time to schedule your next dental checkup at our Fredericksburg dental office!

What to Expect from a Professional Teeth Cleaning

Your mouth is home to numerous bacteria. When you eat, they eat, and they release acids that attack teeth and other oral structures, leading to cavities, dental infections, and gum disease. Oral bacteria form a sticky biofilm called plaque, and plaque is what you're removing each time you brush and floss. Unfortunately, if plaque is not removed often enough or thoroughly enough, it will harden into tartar or calculus. Tartar creates even more surface area for bacteria to flourish. While you can brush plaque away, tartar is a little more complicated.

During a cleaning, our dental team in Fredericksburg uses specialized tools to remove plaque and mineralized tartar buildup, which could threaten your dental health. Dental exams and cleanings are critical to keeping your teeth clean and healthy while minimizing the threats oral bacteria can pose, but they work in conjunction with good at-home care.

Dental cleaning at home keeps plaque and tartar under control. We encourage patients to brush twice a day and floss daily to remove buildup. At your cleaning appointment, our Fredericksburg hygienists remove all tartar buildup and then polish your teeth for a clean, sparkly smile.

A dental deep cleaning is a more extensive process in which we remove all traces of plaque buildup and tartar above and below the gum line. You may need a deep cleaning if you have gum disease, which can create pockets between the teeth and gums, allowing infections to push deeper into the oral cavity. Deep cleaning removes potential infection sources, helps keep your gums healthy and can reduce your risk of dental disease. Let our Fredericksburg dental office help you get back on track to good dental health!

What Is Periodontal Treatment, and Why Do I Need It?

Plaque tends to accumulate along the gum line and between teeth. When the bacteria it contains start to irritate the gums, the tissue becomes inflamed. Gums may seem red, puffy or swollen, and they may pull away from the teeth, allowing more plaque and tartar to accumulate and leading to gum recession.

Gum disease affects about 70% of the population worldwide at some point in their lives. In the earliest stage, called gingivitis, gum disease is both treatable and reversible, typically with enhanced dental cleanings and improved at-home hygiene. In later stages of periodontal disease, like periodontitis, more in-depth treatments may be required to stabilize your dental health.

Our dentist encourages our patients to visit at least twice a year for a routine cleaning and dental checkup. You may need more frequent cleanings if you have periodontal disease or other risk factors. If you have dentures, you may not need a traditional dental cleaning, but scheduling routine dental exams is still important. These checkups can help you keep your oral health on track. Contact our Fredericksburg dental office to set up your next dental cleaning and exam.

How to Get Rid of Bad Breath

Bad breath is a common complaint. Because it can also be embarrassing, many of our patients ask us how to cure bad breath. To understand the best bad breath cure for your needs, you first need to understand what causes bad breath.

Common bad breath causes include:

• Certain foods, like garlic and onions
• Poor dental hygiene
• Dry mouth
• Gum disease
• Abscesses or other dental infections
• Tobacco use
• Certain health conditions

Once we have identified the causes of bad breath, our Fredericksburg dentist will recommend a personalized treatment plan. Your bad breath remedies may include a professional cleaning and improved home hygiene, a moisturizing mouth rinse, gum disease treatment, and smoking cessation programs. With the right care, you can enjoy improved dental health and the smile confidence you deserve.

Screening for Oral Cancer: What to Expect

About 60,000 Americans are diagnosed with oral cancer every year. When caught in early stages, it’s highly treatable. Unfortunately, oral cancer often has few noticeable symptoms in its earliest stages, which is why screening for oral cancer is so critical. At your checkup, our Fredericksburg dentist will perform an oral cancer test or screening to identify areas of concern. We will look for:

• A painless lump or bump
• A rough patch on the cheeks, lips, or gums
• A red or white spot that does not heal
• Unexplained bleeding or swelling
• Difficulty speaking, chewing, or swallowing
• Unexplained oral pain
• A change in bite or the way your teeth fit together

Our oral cancer screening dentist in Fredericksburg will evaluate all of the soft tissues of your mouth for signs of oral cancer. If any abnormalities are identified, our dentist in Fredericksburg may recommend an additional test for oral cancer, such as a biopsy. The cancer screening cost is typically covered by most dental insurers as part of a routine dental exam.

Contact Our Fredericksburg Dental Office Today!

At our dental office in Fredericksburg, we are committed to providing you with the personalized dental care you need, including dental cleanings and exams, and we take your smile seriously. We accept most forms of dental insurance and offer financing options, too. Schedule your next dental exam in Fredericksburg today!