Cleanings and Check-ups

There are some areas of your mouth that you can't reach, no matter how hard you try to brush and floss. Over time, plaque, a film of sticky bacteria, can build up in these areas. Plaque, if not removed, hardens to tartar. This can only be removed professionally by a dentist. Regular cleanings will keep plaque and tartar at bay and reduce the risk of gum disease and cavities.

Routine dental checkups with Dr. Lyuba Taff allow you to catch oral health issues in the early stages before they become more serious. During the check-up, Dr. Taft performs a thorough examination of your mouth, teeth, and gums to detect any signs of oral cancer, gum disease, or tooth decay. Early detection can lead to more effective treatments and less invasive procedures, which will help preserve your natural teeth.

A healthy smile is built on healthy gums. Untreated gum disease (also known as periodontal infection) can cause tooth loss. Regular cleanings remove bacteria and plaque from beneath the gum line, where gum disease usually begins. Dr. Taft's team is skilled at identifying early signs of gingivitis and offering treatments to stop the disease from progressing.

Oral health and overall health are closely related. Untreated dental problems and poor oral hygiene can lead to serious health issues such as diabetes, heart disease, and respiratory infections. Regular dental visits protect your smile and your overall health.

Our dental hygienists will perform your cleaning. They will remove tartar and plaque from your teeth with specialized tools. Scaling is a process that targets areas of the mouth and gums that are hard to clean. After scaling, your teeth will be polished to remove surface stains and make your smile look brighter. Lastly, the hygienist will floss your teeth to remove all plaque and debris from between your teeth.

After your cleaning, Dr. Lyuba will perform a thorough examination of your mouth. Checking for cavities, assessing your gum health, and checking your mouth for signs of oral cancer or any other abnormalities are all part of this examination. To get a better view of the teeth and their underlying structures, x-rays can be taken. These images allow Dr. Taft to detect problems that are not visible to the naked eye. For example, cavities between teeth, loss of bone, or impacted teeth.

Oral cancer is a serious disease that can be fatal if not detected early. Dr. Taft performs an oral cancer screen as part of each checkup. She will check the tissues in your mouth (lips, tongue, cheeks, and throat) for abnormal growths or discolorations. Further testing may be suggested if any suspicious areas have been identified to rule out pre-cancerous or cancerous conditions.

After your examination and cleaning, Dr. Taft will discuss her findings and recommendations with you. She will discuss your treatment options and work with your schedule and needs to create a plan. Our team will support you in your oral health journey, whether you require restorative measures, like fillings and crowns, or preventive measures, such as fluoride treatments.