The American Dental Association offers several recommendations for maintaining the long-term health of your mouth. This starts with brushing your teeth twice each day and flossing every evening, as part of an effective oral hygiene routine. They also advocate having a routine dental exam and cleaning performed every six months.
Every checkup at Andrew Henritze DDS’s Roanoke, Virginia clinic start with one of our highly-trained hygienists performing a thorough dental cleaning. They will use professional tools and techniques to remove all traces of hardened tartar from your teeth. Once this is done they will polish your teeth to remove surface stains.
During the cleaning portion of the exam, your hygienist will keep an eye out for any signs of tooth decay, gum disease or other oral health issues. If something is giving your trouble, be sure to let the hygienist know, so they can pay extra attention to the area.
Your Andrew Henritze DDS dentist will then perform a thorough examination of your mouth to detect any signs of tooth decay and periodontal disease. If they find a problem, the dentist will discuss your treatment options. This might also include having a simple fluoride treatment or dental sealants applied at the end of the exam.
Then the dentist will perform a cursory oral cancer screening. This will involve an examination of your tongue, neck, cheek and throat to look for any overt signs of oral or pharyngeal cancer.
If you live in the Roanoke, Virginia area and you’re due for your next dental checkup, you should call (540) 989-6600 to schedule an appointment at Andrew Henritze DDS’s clinic.