Timothy P. Sulken, D.D.S. believes that one of the most important parts of lasting oral health and wellness is to schedule wellness visits every six months, and the Cleveland Clinic agrees.
You may know wellness visits as cleanings, but they are so much more than that.
An oral wellness visit to Timothy P. Sulken, D.D.S. will also include the following services:
- Diagnostic X-rays – X-rays are vital for detecting oral health problems like decay, bone loss, cysts, tumors, and more. Additionally, they help Dr. Sulken determine the position of your teeth and roots.
- Oral Cancer Screenings – Dr. Sulken will check your face, neck, throat, tongue, gums, and lips for signs and symptoms of oral, head, and neck cancer.
- Gum Evaluation – Dr. Sulken will examine your gums for signs of periodontal disease. This evaluation is a series of steps that will allow the dentist to determine the health of your gums and if a treatment plan should be employed.
- Dental Decay Evaluation – Dr. Sulken or his team will check the surface of your teeth for cavities. This evaluation is performed using special dental instruments. If a cavity is found we will suggest a treatment strategy and perform the necessary fix if possible.
- Restoration Evaluation – Dr. Sulken or his team will check your restorations such as fillings, crowns, veneers, etc. to ensure they are still healthy and performing their essential duties. If they are not we will recommend a treatment strategy or correct the problem during your visit if possible.
Along with these evaluations, screenings, and examinations is your professional cleaning (dental prophylaxis) performed by a member of Dr. Sulken’s team of Dental Hygienists or Expanded Function Dental Assistants. The professional cleaning includes the following:
- Removal of Tartar – Tartar is plaque that has hardened over time. Tartar is firmly attached to the surface of your tooth. Tartar can form above and below your gum line and can only be removed using special dental instruments.
- Removal of Plaque – Plaque is a group of bacteria, food particles, and saliva that exists on the surface of your teeth. Plaque is extremely hard to see and can cause gum inflammation if not removed. This inflammation is the beginning of periodontal disease.
- Teeth Polishing – This process removes stains and plaque that have been leftover after brushing and scaling. This process also smooths your tooth in order to make it harder for plaque to accumulate on the surface of your tooth.
In addition to your cleaning and examinations, your wellness visits offer us an opportunity to educate our patients on proper dental care.
This opportunity is important in maintaining proper at home care of your teeth.
Finally, before leaving our office Dr. Sulken will evaluate all information attained during the visit and go over any concerns you may have.
If treatment is needed outside of your wellness visit it will be scheduled by one of our outstanding administrators on a future date.
Your wellness visits are critical to your oral and overall health. In fact, it has been found that patients who schedule wellness visits every six months end up spending less money on treatments. The reason for this is that you avoid costly and big problems with routine maintenance. The sooner you can catch a problem, the better. Not only are wellness visits saving your teeth but they are also saving your money.
What Does Dr. Sulken and Dr. Kinn Look for During an Exam?
Visiting your dentist for a dental exam isn’t only about inspecting for cavities. There are good reasons why health professionals suggest that you have a dental exam every six months. Regular exams still play a vital role in keeping your smile intact and your mouth healthy. However, these exams also check for problems that might not be strictly related to your teeth and gums.
Regular checkups are in order to look for issues like tooth decay, periodontal disease, in addition to many other health ailments while they’re still in their early stages. This is particularly helpful as treatment for health problems is usually most successful when they are detected early. If not caught early, some of these otherwise preventable diseases can cause significant problems. However, it’s not just dental health issues, as some symptoms your dentist discovers may indicate diseases in the rest of your body.
Regular dental cleanings and exams can lower your risk for various illnesses. Skipping cleaning sessions will allow your mouth’s bacteria to form a biofilm on your teeth. These bacteria can find their way into blood vessels and tissues, causing inflammation or illness elsewhere in the body.
Your dentist may also help protect you from heart disease. Individuals who do not have their regular exams and teeth cleanings have a 13% higher chance of a stroke and a 24% greater risk of having a heart attack than people who get exams and cleanings routinely, according to research conducted by the American Heart Association. Also, dentists spot high blood pressure in their patients and refer them to a doctor when necessary.
Your mouth could show symptoms like tooth enamel erosion, or swollen/bleeding gums which could indicate diseases such as eating disorders, osteoporosis or acid reflux. Periodontal disease may be an indication you may have diabetes. Crohn’s disease may be indicated by ulcers in the mouth, while oral candidiasis (a fungal infection) might be an indicator a critical health issue like HIV.
As well as the above, dental exams check for risk factors for fatal diseases such as cancer.
This is why your regular dentist appointments are important.
Have you booked your next appointment? Schedule now!