Dental Hygiene/Exams

What is good dental hygiene?

Good dental hygiene includes following guidelines for appropriate maintenance of your teeth, gums, and mouth. Dental professionals recommend brushing at least twice a day — ideally after you eat. If you can’t time your brushing with your meals — particularly at lunchtime — try to at least rinse with water. This keeps sugar and bacteria from lingering on the tooth surfaces. Good dental hygiene also includes flossing every day to keep your gums healthy and debris clear from the cracks between your teeth.

Excellent dental hygiene can help combat the following conditions:

• Bad breath
• Gum disease
• Tooth decay
• Tooth loss
• And much more

Good dental hygiene can also include following healthy habits — and getting rid of bad ones. For example, try to eat sugary foods in moderation — and do your best to avoid soda altogether, as it can damage your enamel. Likewise, steer clear of smoking and tobacco usage, which can promote oral cancer.

Maintaining good dental hygiene at home is a major component of oral health care. Drs. Gordon and Brooks Green and Dr. Nichole Barnett are the other part, which is why it’s important to schedule regular teeth cleanings and oral exams twice a year — even if you don’t have any symptoms or issues. In our office, we do a deep cleaning that just isn’t possible at home. That helps in cavity prevention and plaque and tartar removal. Plus, exams can help catch any potential issues early. The earlier we start addressing something, the more likely that we can quickly and effectively resolve the issue.

How can I prepare for my dental exam?

If it is your first time at Green Dental, you may have some initial forms to fill out prior to your dental exam. However, we have uploaded those forms on our website. That way, you can conveniently download them and fill them out when you have time and can access all of the forms, documents, and cards you need. It will also save you time in the waiting room once you come in for your cleaning and exam.

What happens during a dental exam at Green Dental?

During your regular exam, we will take a look inside your mouth to check on any problematic areas. We may see whether there are any pockets developing between your teeth and gums, which could indicate periodontal disease. We will also take dental X-rays to see what is going on beneath the surface of your teeth. An important part of the exam also includes oral cancer screenings — a quick and painless way to catch any possible issues as early as possible.

Since dental cleanings and exams are essential components to quality preventive dental care, the majority of dental insurance carriers will cover all or most of these appointments. Prior to coming into the dental office, our financial team will work with you to make sure that you get to utilize the coverages you have. If you don’t have dental insurance, we have flexible payment options.