As Raleigh’s premier modern dental practice, Russo Dentistry takes pride in being our patients’ partner in good health. We believe that good oral health is key to keeping your whole body healthy! By taking a proactive approach to your oral health, you’re able to stop problems in their tracks – and prevent them from occurring in the first place. One of the easiest ways to be proactive is to make sure you commit to regular dental checkups.
We know that for lots of people, going to the dentist isn’t a whole lot of fun. It’s tempting to think that by keeping up with a good at-home routine, including twice-daily brushing and flossing, you can keep your teeth healthy enough to skip your dental checkups. That couldn’t be further from the truth! Your checkups are a lot more than a simple cleaning. Read on to learn more about what we do during your visit.
- Cleaning and polishing: First things first, we clean your teeth. This includes a process called scaling. With scaling, we remove harmful plaque and tartar, which can cause gum disease. We’ll also polish your teeth with an electric toothbrush and a paste that is a little grittier than what you use at home. The grit helps to remove stains.
- Visual exam: You may not know what to look for when examining your mouth for problems, but we do! Your hygienist will check for cavities, as well as examine your gums for any sign of disease.
- X-rays: We like to do these once a year to make sure there aren’t any problems with your teeth themselves, such as decay or bone loss. The most frequent kind of dental x-rays are called bitewings, which show us your upper and lower teeth. From time to time, we may want to take a panoramic x-ray to get a fuller view of your whole mouth.
- Cancer exam: Once your cleaning is complete, Dr. Russo will check your head, neck, and mouth for lumps and other signs of cancer, like discoloration. Since they often go unnoticed until they’ve progressed, oral cancers are especially deadly and early detection can save your life. If Dr. Russo notices a problem, we will help you get the care you need.
You may not realize it, but your oral health and your overall physical wellness are closely linked. Over one hundred diseases can show in your mouth, and the team at Russo Dentistry have the skills and training needed to identify them. By helping you identify potential problems before they become serious, your regular dental checkups keep your whole body healthy and help you to feel your very best.
Take some time out today to preserve your health and wellness. Call Russo Dentistry today to schedule your next checkup!
