Do you question the need for preventive dental care? Virginia Beach dentist, Dr. Sarah Esparza, and her associate dentist, Dr. Patricia Lott, firmly believe routine check-ups and hygienic cleanings are foundational to healthy teeth and gums. Their many prophylactic services keep enamel strong, gums pink, bites correct and problems few.
Bacteria and your mouth
Did you know that your mouth teams with micro-organisms? Most notably, Streptococcus mutans attacks your tooth enamel and gums, causing decay and gum disease. While you may be the best tooth brusher and flosser, no one performs perfect oral hygiene at home. That’s where your hygienist at Esparza Family Dentist comes in.
This skilled professional removes the sticky plaque and rock-like tartar you just miss. If left to accumulate, this biofilm and its associated bacteria, eat away at tooth enamel, causing the holes we call cavities.
Additionally, gum tissue becomes inflamed and recedes when left untreated. Gum disease, in its worst form, periodontitis, leads to tooth mobility, tooth loss, gum and bone recession, and chronic bad breath.
Your hygienist gently scales your teeth, removing plaque and tartar from interdental spaces and below the gum line. She also measures gum pocket depth to assess for periodontitis. Finally, the hygienist polishes tooth surfaces to a gleaming finish.
The oral examination
Your Virginia Beach dentist wants to examine your mouth every 6 months and take digital x-rays as needed to look for hidden decay and problems with roots, bone and jaw joint. Drs. Esparza and Lott:
- Inspect for decay and gum problems
- Check how teeth bite together
- Assess for TMJ (temporomandibular joint) dysfunction and teeth grinding (bruxism)
- Do a fast and pain-free check for oral cancer
- Check on the integrity of crowns, fillings or other restorations already in the mouth
For kids, and sometimes adults, the doctor may advise application of plastic sealants to protect molars from decay and fluoride treatments to strengthen enamel and seal exposed roots against temperature sensitivity.
The dentist’s findings
Your dentist in Virginia Beach explains her findings, answers questions and addresses concerns each of her patients have about their oral health. She wants to hear about aesthetic goals–closing a smile gap, whitening dull enamel and more. She formulates a comprehensive treatment plan and teaches her patient about proper hygiene and other dental health matters, such as the use of athletic mouth guards when warrented.
An ounce of prevention…
You know the rest of the old saying: “…is worth a pound of cure.” Your friends at Esparza Family Dentistry want you and your loved ones to have strong smiles that last for a lifetime. Because they are highly trained in all aspects of preventive, restorative and cosmetic dentistry, they know routine care avoids big health issues and big dental bills, too. Why cure dental problems when you can prevent them?
If you and your family need routine cleanings and exams, why not call for appointments today? The office team will be happy to give you times convenient to your schedule so you get the best preventive dentistry available in Virginia Beach.