Cleanings & Prevention in Norristown
Professional dental cleanings and preventive care are essential to keeping your teeth healthy for a lifetime. At Top Dental, our comprehensive approach to oral health care emphasizes regular cleaning and exams to minimize concerns before they can escalate into more serious problems.
Dr. Yasaman Kamali and our experienced team of dental practitioners provide preventive services, professional exams, and education on the best oral home-care practices. We are conveniently located across the street from the transportation center in Norristown for easy access from the surrounding communities. With assistance available in both English and Spanish, you and your family can get the care you need to enjoy a lifetime of optimal oral health.
CALL US: (610) 277-7440 REQUEST APPOINTMENT
What Is Preventive Dentistry?
Preventive dentistry includes all the services and practices of caring for your teeth to keep them healthy. At Top Dental, we offer many forms of preventive dentistry, such as dental cleanings, exams, sealants, and fluoride. We recommend visiting our office at regular intervals to maintain optimal oral health and keep your teeth clean, strong, and beautiful.
Everyone can benefit from preventive dentistry, because the sooner problems are detected, the better. Starting professional care at a young age supports the proper development and growth of permanent teeth, and helps seniors keep their teeth longer. Some of our preventive services include:
Preventive care does more than just keep your smile beautiful. Removing harmful plaque and bacteria from your teeth reduces gum inflammation that can spread to other areas of your body. Oral health promotes overall health, lowering your risk for heart disease, diabetes, and complications during pregnancy.
The Importance of Professional Cleanings & Exams
While maintaining proper oral hygiene at home is essential for a healthy smile, routine visits to our office every six months are critical. Dr. Yasaman Kamali is skilled in diagnosing and treating problems early so you can keep your teeth in great shape for as long as possible.
Cleanings are done to remove any dental plaque and tartar that has accumulated on your teeth to prevent cavities and gum disease. Regular brushing and flossing cannot totally remove plaque and tartar that often stick to your enamel. During professional dental cleanings at our practice, Dr. Yasaman Kamali uses specific tools designed to gently clean each tooth, as well as around the gum line and between. After removing as much debris as possible we will polish each tooth to smooth the surface, remove many surface stains, and floss around each tooth. Fluoride is used to strengthen enamel and discourage bacteria build up.
At Top Dental, we generally recommend you schedule dental exams every six months. This allows us to stay ahead of any problems and keep your treatments affordable. Dental exams help you maintain your oral health as well as the integrity of any existing restorations.
When you visit Top Dental for your exam, we will conduct:
- A visual evaluation of your teeth and gums
- An evaluation of your risk level for tooth decay and gum disease
- An assessment of existing fillings and crowns for excessive wear or damage
- An examination of your dental alignment
- Removal of surface stains
- A demonstration of correct brushing and flossing
- Oral Cancer Screening
- Gingival pocket exam
Once the oral exam is completed, we will share your results and make recommendations for any additional treatment, as well as assist you with scheduling and financing.
Gum Disease Prevention & Treatment
Gum disease can be treated by practicing proper plaque control. Plaque control involves professional dental cleanings at least twice every year and daily brushing and flossing. When you brush your teeth, you eliminate plaque from the surfaces of your teeth that you can reach. Flossing, on the other hand, helps to remove plaque between the teeth as well as under the gumline.
Additionally, you can make your own health and lifestyle changes to lower the risk, severity, and speed of gum disease development. Tobacco use is a notable risk factor for gum disease development. Typically, tobacco smokers are seven times more likely to develop gum disease than nonsmokers, and continuous smoking can reduce the success of treatment.
Stress can hamper your body's immune system and the ability to fight off infections. A well-balanced diet helps boost your immune system, helping your body to fight the infection better. Eat foods rich in antioxidants, vitamin E, and vitamin C.
Grinding or clenching your teeth can put excessive force on your teeth and the supporting tissues and lead to further problems. Wearing a custom mouthguard at night can protect your teeth and help prevent the need for additional restoration treatments.
Understanding The Oral-Systemic Connection
Over the years, dentists and medical professionals have realized the connection between oral health and overall health. An infection in one part of the body may have widespread consequences, making it critical for you to keep yourself healthy at all times. The oral-systemic connection refers to the link between oral health and the health of your entire body.
Did you know that oral complications can increase your risk of cardiovascular disease, pancreatic cancer, and diabetes? More specifically, gum infections provide a way for bacteria to access your bloodstream. If you have infected gums, your roots and nerve endings become exposed to harmful bacteria. Periodontal care is a critical part of maintaining and supporting the oral-systemic connection and ensuring your smile is both healthy and beautiful.
The Goal of Periodontal Treatment
Periodontal treatment is primarily designed to diagnose, treat, and prevent gum disease with procedures that have both regenerative and cosmetic benefits. Healthy gums are the first step to a bright smile. Ignoring the health of your gums could lead to many different complications. A build-up of bacteria and plaque eventually hardens into tartar which can cause a variety of problems, including:
- Bleeding and swollen gums
- Loose teeth
- Bad breath
- Damaged ligaments and gum tissue
- Receding gums
- Frequent infections inside the mouth
Scaling & Root Planing
Advancements in technology and treatment procedures have made scaling and root planing more comfortable and more effective. We use 3D imaging to accurately identify any areas of particular concern as well as map out the entire treatment. We pay special attention to your comfort and do everything we can to make sure the procedure goes as quickly as possible with minimal pain.
Scaling and root planing is one of the most common periodontal treatment techniques. During this procedure, Dr. Kamali will remove accumulated plaque and tartar to encourage the growth of healthy tissue that attaches naturally to the surface of each tooth. Scaling and planing are typically followed by a customized plan for additional treatments to repair any damage and prevent further issues. Some people will only need routine cleanings every six months, while others may need a deep cleaning every three months.
What is the Difference Between Prophylaxis and Scaling & Root Planing?
Prophylaxis is the regular cleaning you get at your bi-annual visit to remove plaque and calculus. This treatment only cleans the enamel that is visible above the gum line, also known as the crown. For those who generally have good oral health, this type of cleaning is sufficient. If you suffer from gum infection or recession, scaling and root planing is designed to clean each tooth down to the root, where gum tissue and bone meet. This procedure is vital to get periodontal disease under control and to prevent tooth and bone loss.
4 Ways You Can Help Prevent Gum Disease
There are many ways our team can help you stop gum disease and repair the damage, but your personal oral hygiene routine will have a significant impact on the success of our treatments. By following these essential steps, you will improve the effectiveness of your periodontal care.
- Brushing – It’s no secret that brushing is an essential factor in oral health. We recommend that you brush your teeth twice every day, for at least two minutes.
- Flossing – Flossing is every bit as important as brushing. A toothbrush can’t reach the many contours and crevices of our dental structure, but floss can get between teeth and right up to the gums to clear away any plaque missed while brushing.
- Rinsing – After brushing and flossing, rinsing with mouthwash is a great way to neutralize any remaining bacteria in the mouth while simultaneously freshening breath.
- Regular Dentist Visits – Consistent professional cleanings and exams also allow us to correct small problems before they become serious, as well as check for other health concerns, such as oral cancer.
Take Care of Your Smile
Preventive dental care can reduce the risk of cavities and help stop gum disease. Top Dental provides professional dental exams and cleanings to help you and your entire family maintain excellent oral health. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.
CALL US: (610) 277-7440 REQUEST APPOINTMENT
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