GENERAL DENTISTRY FROM ELITE DENTISTRY
What To Expect
At Your 6-Month Checkup
Knowing what to expect adds a level of comfort when you come in for your six month checkup. At Elite Dentistry, your appointment begins by getting to know your dentist and sitting down to talk.
During a typical dental exam, we will take X-rays if yours are a year or older, or if any major changes have recently happened to your mouth. Then, we will make sure to carefully clean your teeth and look for signs of tooth decay or damage, such as a cavity, gum disease, or oral cancer. If you need a caring touch, we can provide treatment plan options for you to choose from.
Because we believe in conservation and protection, we can place dental sealants and fluoride treatments if you need them, and compare how your teeth have changed over the last six months. We will also take the time to answer any questions you may have, so that you know what is going on with your mouth!
Dental Crowns
Crowns are a great way to restore the structure of your teeth. They can cover the top of a tooth that has otherwise been compromised, either due to having a root canal, a large cavity, or even a crack that went through part of the chewing surface of your tooth. What we do is create a dental crown or “cap” that rests just over your tooth, keeping it structurally sound and fully functional.
Fillings
Here at Elite Dentistry, we are a metal-free practice! For your comfort and health, we only use composite resin fillings. That way, any fillings you need will match your teeth and look natural, allowing you to have the confidence of smiling without the fear of dark spots in any of your teeth.
Composite resin fillings are strong and do not stain easily, making them an ideal protective solution against risks of tooth decay. When you need a filling, we remove the decay from the cavity, and fill in that cavity with the composite resin. We make sure to fill the gap thoroughly, so you can be sure that your filling will last as long as possible. Contact us at 407-658-0103 if you want to know more!
Why Are 6 Month Checkups Important?
It is recommended that you visit the dentist every 6 months for a dental cleaning and checkup. This is important for several reasons, including the removal of plaque and tartar during cleanings, and early detection of tooth decay and gum disease.
Plaque forms along the gum line when food particles are not thoroughly removed from the mouth. Plaque feeds off of these sugars and turns them into acids that attack the teeth, eventually leading to cavities.
Plaque can be difficult to remove on your own and if it’s left untreated, it can harden and turn into tartar, which can only be removed by a dentist. Tartar causes gum recession and gum disease. Gum disease is only reversible in the earliest stage known as gingivitis.
However, because symptoms are usually mild, they can go undetected if you don’t regularly visit the dentist. During your oral exam, we can look for signs of gum disease and determine the stage by measuring gum pocket depth.
Leaving gum disease untreated will lead to irreversible destruction of soft tissue and jaw bone, which can lead to tooth loss. During your exam, we also look for signs of oral cancer and apply a fluoride treatment at the end of your cleaning which will protect your teeth from cavities.
What is Included in a Teeth Cleaning?
Dental cleanings involve scaling, brushing with dental grade gritty toothpaste, flossing, and fluoride treatment. The scaling portion of your cleaning is performed with a dental scaler that scrapes away plaque and tartar buildup.
Next, it’s time to brush your teeth. However, brushing at the dentist is a little different. An electric brush and gritty toothpaste are used to thoroughly clean and polish your teeth. You will feel a grinding sensation against your teeth. Then, your teeth will be flossed to thoroughly remove food particles, plaque, and toothpaste.
Now that the bulk of the cleaning is done, you’ll rinse out your mouth and Dr. Mark Ashy will apply a fluoride varnish to your teeth that will stay on your teeth for one minute and then be rinsed out.
You will need to wait for 30 minutes before eating or drinking anything. The varnish offers additional protection against cavities for several months because of the high concentration of fluoride. Then you’re all done! The entire process takes about 30-60 minutes. To schedule a dental cleaning, contact us at Elite Dentistry by calling (407) 658-0103 today.
How to Care for Your Teeth Between Dental Visits
Practicing good oral hygiene at home is incredibly important. A lot can happen in 6 months, including the formation of cavities and tooth decay. Most oral health problems are caused by a buildup of plaque and tartar so prevention is key.
The best way to prevent plaque and tartar development is to brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste twice a day and floss at least once every day. You should use a soft-bristle round-headed toothbrush and brush the teeth gently at a 45-degree angle.
Getting enough fluoride into your teeth will also protect them from cavities so we recommend drinking fluoridated water and using fluoride products such as toothpaste and mouthwashes.
Other than that, you should limit your intake of sugar and carbohydrates which increase your risk of developing cavities. Drink enough water to keep your mouth hydrated, as adequate saliva flow is important to wash away food particles that are left behind in the mouth.
Testimonials
Elite Dentistry
"Great service and extremely professional. Highly recommend!"
"The staff was very professional and they did a very good job cleaning my teeth. I have been going here for 2 years, and am extremely happy with the quality of their work."
"Highly recommend this office. We always have a great experience with Dr Ashy’s team. I really appreciate his commitment to his patients, he has always been very reliable. "
"My whole family goes here, and we love the staff and the office hours are great!"
"Wonderful appointment! I appreciate the quick service and I felt that it was a personalized experience. I will continue going to this practice!"
"Marvelous, simply marvelous. Great staff and Dr. Ashy really does a wonderful job."
"Super Professional and very caring.. Would recommend to everyone!!!!"
