Cleanings and Routine Care

How often should I see a dentist?

A captivating smile goes beyond mere aesthetics – it’s a testament to your overall well-being. Surprisingly, an important key lies in an often overlooked routine: visiting your dentist regularly. While it may seem like a chore, dental check-ups are essential to staying ahead of potential problems lurking beneath the surface.

What our patient’s say

Jane D.

“Super happy with my visit! They are attentive and caring. They really have a great way of easing dental anxiety! They were thorough and really explain and include you in the entire process. I truly appreciate the extra steps they took to make me feel at ease.” – Jane D.

Yvette T.

“Was totally satisfied, they made sure that the emergency was taken care of right away and made sure that i wouldn’t feel a thing. During the procedure i was asked numerous of times how was i doing. Would totally recommend them. Very satisfied on the whole experience.” – Yvette T.

Lauri B.

“Stepping into Perfect Smiles was like stepping into an oasis. It might have been cold outside, but this practice excels at professionalism and warmth. The staff were all very welcoming. The decor, with its high ceilinged rooms awash with light, beautiful uplifting art and heated massage chairs for the clients, completes the free and relaxed atmosphere. One also immediately feels the respect shared among the dental team. All of these factors and more (excellent complimentary coffee and bottled water) make the patient feel reassured, restored and in very good hands.” – Lauri B.

On average, patients are encouraged to visit the dentist every six months for comprehensive cleanings, annual radiographs, and thorough examinations.

A different frequency may be recommended due to your increase of risk. Risk is assessed by reviewing your medications that cause dry mouth, changes in general health conditions, oral hygiene habits, the condition of your mouth, stress, and a large laundry list of other body and systemic conditions that will call for an increase in professional dental care. In some cases it will be recommended that you visit even more frequently such as every 3-4 months due to the type of bacteria you may have, and also if you are at greater risk for oral disease such as cavities, bacteria that causes tissue, bone, and tooth loss.

At a minimum, biannual visits are recommended for professional screening and cleaning. However, in some cases, your dentist may suggest visiting every 3-4 months due to increased needs and a higher risk of poor oral health.
Our team will carefully consider all these factors when determining the ideal frequency of our professional assistance to ensure that your health is being improved and maintained.

Visiting the dentist routinely can be a game-changer for your dental health, helping you maintain that picture-perfect smile. Your dazzling smile awaits!

How often do I need dental X-rays?

Are you concerned about the safety of traditional dental x-rays and wondering if digital x-rays offer a better alternative?

Skipping x-rays at the dentist might sound appealing, but they are the cornerstone for diagnosing dental issues. Dental professionals simply cannot accurately diagnose dental diseases without these essential radiographs. X-rays reveal vital information invisible to the naked eye, such as cysts, cavities, infections, tumors, abnormalities, tooth formation, and even bone loss or periodontal disease.

Early diagnosis and treatment are the keys to overcoming dental disease, and x-ray imaging technology makes that possible. At Perfect Smiles, we’re committed to offering you the safest, most advanced imaging options, that’s why we’ve chosen to exclusively use digital radiographs.

Our advanced digital x-rays provide instant feedback with exceptional diagnostic capabilities. Annually, during your maintenance cleaning visits, we take bitewing radiographs (commonly used to diagnose cavities between posterior teeth) to ensure your teeth are in excellent condition. The FDA recommends posterior (back) x-rays and exams every 6-12 months if the teeth are touching, as this increases the risk of cavities.

The radiation exposure from dental imaging is incredibly low, with just about 0.005 mSv (Millisieverts) – comparable to your daily natural environmental exposure. At our office, we use platinum digital sensors, which reduce radiation exposure by a staggering 10x compared to conventional packet film. The average exposure time for one x-ray is a mere 0.12 seconds. Plus, we’ve invested in state-of-the-art digital panoramic and CT scanners to ensure minimal exposure for our patients when these images are needed.

Dental x-rays play a vital role in keeping your smile healthy and radiant. With our commitment to using the latest technology, Perfect Smiles ensures a safer and more efficient imaging experience for our patients.

Why do my gums bleed?

If you’ve ever noticed your gums bleeding, it’s important to understand that this is not a healthy condition. While there are several reasons why this might happen, the most common culprit is gingivitis caused by plaque and bacteria buildup along the gumline. The good news is that gingivitis is reversible with proper home care measures like brushing and flossing regularly, as well as seeking routine hygiene appointments from a dental professional.

However, if you ignore your bleeding gums, it could lead to a more serious condition known as periodontal disease or gum disease. This condition results in permanent loss of bone around the teeth and can cause inflamed gum tissues that bleed at the slightest touch. The best way to prevent tooth loss associated with periodontal disease is to seek professional dental intervention and commit to more thorough hygiene appointments.

Other factors that can contribute to bleeding gums include hormonal changes during pregnancy, aggressive brushing with hard toothbrushes, ill-fitting dental appliances that rub against and irritate the gum tissue, poor health and diet, as well as certain medications that thin the blood. Regardless of the cause, bleeding gums are a warning sign that something is not right in your mouth and should prompt you to seek out dental intervention.

Don’t let bleeding gums go unchecked. Take action and make an appointment with your dentist to address this issue and maintain a healthy smile.

What causes bad breath?

Have you been told that you have bad breath? Are you like some of our patients for whom bad breath has affected your relationships? If yes, then you know that this medical condition can be both embarrassing and uncomfortable.

If so we can help! But, in order to resolve bad breath, we must determine and then eliminate the source of the odor.

Bad breath, also known by its medical name halitosis, is often the result of bacteria in our mouth. Bacteria are all around us. Some bacteria are helpful for our overall health and others may be harmful. Our bodies constantly balance out these good and bad bacteria.

Your first line of defense for treating halitosis is your home dental care routine. This includes properly brushing the teeth and tongue twice a day, ideally with an electric toothbrush, as well as flossing at least once daily.

Some people use mouthwash to try to treat bad breath. While this may temporarily mask the symptoms of halitosis, it doesn’t actually treat the root cause.

Coming in to see us regularly for cleanings and practicing good oral hygiene can directly address the bacteria that colonize our mouth. Our dental professionals focus on removing the tenacious plaque that forms highly durable communities in the crevices between teeth and within the valleys of the tongue.

If the tenacious plaque remains undisturbed because you haven’t had regular dental care, it can even cause permanent damage to the bone that the teeth are anchored in. This destruction of bone around the teeth is an infection known as periodontal disease or gum disease. One symptom of periodontal disease is bad breath. Thus, treating this infection could help eradicate the odor. The first step is having one of our hygienists and dentists take radiographs, perform an oral examination and check the health of your teeth and gums. From there, a specific hygiene visit will be recommended based on your oral health condition. If need be, antibiotics and antibacterial rinses may be incorporated in your treatment for optimal results.

It’s possible that your dental health is not the source of the bad breath. For some people, acid reflux or diet may be to blame. If we determine that your bad breath comes from a medical issue, we can refer you to a medical doctor for further screenings.

Remember, the first step to combating bad breath is by having regular dental hygiene appointments and practicing daily dental care at home. If you have not been to the dentist in a while, coming in to see us is a great place to start! We’d be happy to provide you with a comfortable and thorough dental assessment.

Fight Bacteria With Orthodontics & Dental Restorations

We want to make your mouth as inhospitable as possible to bacteria and infection. You might be surprised at some of the ways we do so. For example:

Orthodontic treatment eliminates gaps and other places bacteria can hide. It’s also easier to brush and floss straight teeth.
In addition to making it easier for you to eat healthier foods, replacing missing teeth with dental implants or fixed bridges keeps food debris from collecting in places where bacteria can feed on it.
Repairing a broken or cracked tooth with a dental crown keeps bacteria from getting inside your tooth, where it can cause an infection that can spread elsewhere in your body.

We’re more than just your dentists; we’re your systemic healthcare providers!

Call or text us at 833-205-4048