Preventive Dentistry Procedures in Chandler
Preserve your dental health with preventive dental care in Chandler. In addition to daily routines, you need biannual checkups and cleanings at the dentist’s office to keep your mouth healthy. At the first sign of any dental issues, such as a toothache or gum sensitivity, you should schedule an appointment to address the issue before it progresses.
Dr. Arooni and team at Mark Arooni DDS can help with preventive care. Call (480) 351-0963 to schedule an appointment today.
Preventative Procedures in Chandler
Checkups and Cleanings
A biannual checkup with Dr. Arooni ensures that your mouth remains healthy and allows time to evaluate the mouth for signs of cavities, gum disease, or dental work needing restoration or replacement. For patients who have special health circumstances, such as higher risk of periodontal disease due to high blood pressure or other medical conditions, more frequent checkups might be necessary.
The purpose of the checkup is to:
- Assess one’s oral health and hygiene
- Detect tooth decay or periodontal disease early
- Examine the bite and the jaw for problems
- Clean the teeth more extensively than with one’s daily routine
- Take x-rays, if needed
During the visit, you will also need to discuss your health history with Dr. Arooni, such as past dental problems, medication use (which can affect tooth enamel and strength), recent illnesses and/or diseases.
Teeth Cleaning
A dental hygienist will use a set of instruments, usually combined with an ultrasonic scaler to scrape tartar off the teeth and loosen plaque, rinsing both away with water and using a small suctioning tool to remove it. Then, he or she will polish your teeth with a specially formulated abrasive paste. Smoothing and polishing teeth make it more difficult for plaque accumulation between each dental checkup.
Teeth and Mouth Examination
Once your teeth are clean, Dr. Arooni will examine them for signs of tooth decay or cavities with a tool and a mirror. Dr. Arooni examines the gums as well, looking for signs of swelling and redness that indicate gum disease. He will test the occlusion, or bite, of your upper and lower teeth and how they align, which will show whether you have bruxism (teeth grinding) issues, or temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder.
Dentists in Chandler will also examine a patient’s neck, lymph nodes, and the soft tissues of the mouth (cheeks, tongue, lips) to detect infection or oral cancer, typically a potential concern in older patients.
X-Rays
For patients with a history of excellent oral health, x-rays will likely be unnecessary during their checkup visit. Some patients will require x-rays during each biannual checkup depending on their dental history and current health factors, such as risk for gum disease or age. If during the physical teeth and mouth examination, Dr. Arooni discovers something that needs a closer look, he might recommend x-rays. Things that need an x-ray could include evidence of bruxism or TMJ disorder or potential tooth decay.
Digital x-rays at Dr. Arooni’s office have several advantages, which include:
- Reduced exposure to radiation (by up to 80% compared to other x-ray machines)
- Immediate view of digital images for diagnosis
- Digital records for patient and specialist use
Preserving Your Natural Smile
At the end of the checkup visit, Dr. Arooni will discuss your oral health with you, necessary treatments, and measures you might need to take to maintain a healthy mouth. You will also schedule your next dental checkup, be that three months or six months out depending on your results. Call (480) 351-0963 to schedule your next checkup at our Chandler, AZ dental office today!
