Oral Health Investigation

The second step of your oral health evaluation involves a thorough examination of your teeth and supporting structures by a dental hygienist.

• The dental hygienist will conduct an oral cancer screening to check for the presence of any abnormal lumps or bumps that should not be present in the mouth of a healthy individual. The early detection of oral cancer is key to successful treatment of the disease before the condition worsens and lowers the chance of recovery.
• The dental hygienist will then examine the health of your teeth to check for the presence of new cavities and check the state of any existing fillings. Over time, fillings can break down and crowns can decay around the edges, requiring replacement. Your teeth will also be examined for the buildup of tartar deposits above and below the gum line.
• Digital X-rays are used to detect abnormalities not visible to the naked eye. Decay, bone loss, cysts and infections without symptoms of pain and swelling are detectable with the use of x-rays. We will send you home with an emailed copy for your personal records.
• Periodontal Measurements. Healthy gums should extend well past the base of your teeth where the delicate roots are located. When a patient’s gum line starts to recede, periodontal disease or bone loss may have started to developed. To determine the health of your gums, our dental hygienist will perform periodontal probing to measure the circumference of each tooth and the strength of the supporting bone structure. The dental hygienist will probe the area between the teeth and gums to measure the depth of gum tissue surrounding the teet

Determining Your Dental Cleaning

During the oral examination and investigation, your dental hygienist will determine the current state of your oral health. Depending on the results of the periodontal measurements, the amount bleeding, presence of inflammation and any other potential signs of poor oral health, your hygienist will recommend the type of dental cleaning therapy you require. We encourage our patients to ask any questions they may have about the recommended cleaning.

At Dental Hygiene Wellness Center, we strive to help every patient better understand the current state of his or her oral health so they can make informed decisions about their treatment options. Through better education, we hope to provide patient with the knowledge needed to protect and maintain their oral health for lifetime.