Preventative Dentistry and Oral Wellness Visits
The key to a lifetime of good oral health and wellness is preventative dental care. This includes practicing good oral hygiene at home in addition to visiting our dental office in Kettering, Ohio every six months for an oral wellness appointment.
What Is an Oral Wellness Visit?
Also known as a dental hygiene or prophylaxis appointment, an oral wellness visit is the cornerstone of preventative dental care. These routine appointments include a thorough, professional dental cleaning, an oral health examination and evaluation, and so much more.
What to Expect During an Oral Wellness Visit
After arriving at our office and checking in for your appointment, you will be greeted by one of our dental hygienists who will manage your oral wellness visit.
Medical History Review and Conversation
Your appointment begins with a review of your medical history, a current list of medications and supplements, a blood pressure reading, and a conversation about any changes or concerns you have.
Dental Cleaning
Our dental hygienist uses special dental tools to scale and polish your teeth, removing accumulated plaque, tartar (calculus), and surface-level stains.
Initial Dental Exam
Our hygienist performs an initial examination of your teeth, looking for any potential areas of concern.
Periodontal Health Evaluation
Once a year, our hygienist will also perform a thorough evaluation of your gums, measuring the depth of your periodontal pockets and looking for signs of gingivitis or periodontitis.
Digital X-Rays and Intraoral Images
If our hygienist notes any areas of concern, we will take intraoral images. These images are helpful for our patients, as they allow you to see what we see inside of your mouth.
We might also recommend taking a set of digital dental X-rays which allow us to view and evaluate the health of structures that are not visible to the naked eye.
Oral Cancer Screening
Every oral wellness visit includes a thorough screening for signs of oral cancer (such as lesions, abnormalities, unusual sores, lumps, or bumps). Screening includes a visual examination and a gentle palpation of the soft tissues in and around the oral cavity, jawline, and neck.
Professional Fluoride Treatment
We provide you with the option to remineralize and fortify your tooth enamel with a professional topical fluoride treatment.
Examination With Dr. Hallock
During your appointment, Dr. Hallock will also examine your teeth and gums and review any findings or potential signs of concern. He will explain his diagnosis and provide you with a variety of treatment recommendations, being sure to answer any questions you might have.
Treatment Recommendations
If additional treatment is needed, our treatment coordinator can answer any questions you might have regarding your insurance coverage and financial responsibility before scheduling your return or follow-up visit.
Personalized Home Care Recommendations
Throughout your visit, our dental hygienist and dentist will provide you with personalized recommendations and guidance for your at-home oral hygiene routine based on their findings. This might include recommendations for specific oral hygiene tools or products in addition to specific techniques.
Why Is Preventative Dentistry So Important?
The most common oral health issues such as tooth decay, dental caries (cavities), and periodontal disease (gum disease) are all preventable with proper dental care at home and in the dental office.
Preventing these oral health issues helps preserve your natural teeth, the functionality, and the beauty of your smile while also safeguarding the overall wellness of your body. Oral health and general health are strongly connected. Problems such as periodontal disease can increase a patient's risk for a variety of systemic illnesses such as chronic respiratory infections, diabetes, heart disease, sepsis, dementia, and rheumatoid arthritis. Periodontal disease can also lead to reproductive health problems.
Preventing oral health problems from developing in the first place is the best way to protect the health of your smile and your body.
In addition to prevention, oral wellness visits help to ensure the early detection and treatment of issues, as they arise. This reduces the complexity of dental treatments and lowers the total cost of care.
How Often Should You Schedule an Oral Wellness Visit?
The American Dental Association recommends that normal, healthy patients visit the dental office at least twice a year (every six months) for a routine dental cleaning and examination.
Your Wellness Is in Good Hands: Comprehensive Preventative Dentistry in Kettering, Ohio
At Wilmington Family Dental, we value our patients and the trust they place in us. We go above and beyond to provide personalized dental care with a gentle, caring, and experienced touch. To learn more about our comprehensive preventative dental care or to request an appointment for your next oral wellness visit, we welcome you to contact our dental office in Kettering, Ohio today.