Going to the dentist is something that we usually put at the bottom of our to-do lists. Why? Isn’t our oral health important? Sure, it is. But people have a common misconception that if your teeth look clean and white, and you’re not experiencing any pain or problems, then there is no need to visit the dentist. “I’ll just go when I feel like I  need to.”
You should be making annual trips to the dentist to make sure your teeth and mouth are healthy. Even if you do brush after every meal and floss your teeth once a day. Here is why:
You are missing some spots.
Trust us. No matter how well you are trying to keep your mouth clean, you are still missing bacteria, plaque, and tartar. We use special tools made to reach those hard spots, in order to remove remnants that hide from your toothbrush.
When plaque and tartar form in your mouth, it can later cause cavities, and oral diseases. Celeste, Trini or Kathleen are highly skilled hygienist and will be able to find these troubled areas and clean them to prevent gum disease.
Since Dr. Gagnon has been a dentist for over 20 years he has seen multiple times when patients end up having to spend so much more on their dental care because they didn’t have a problem taken care of when it first started. For example, this past week he saw a patient that ended up needing a root canal and restoring a tooth because they had not been in for 5 years. Their cost was above $1,000. If they would have come in sooner the tooth could have been restored with a small filling and saved the patient $850.
You may need some work done.
We will be able to fill you in on what is going on in your mouth. It is not uncommon to experience cavities, tooth decay, and changes to your gums – especially if you haven’t had your teeth professionally cleaned in a while. If you need some work done to your teeth, they will be able to assess and determine what is best for your situation.
Most people do not realize the delicate factor that can blind side them when it comes to oral health. That factor is the acid/ base balance to ensure a neutral environment and prevent destruction. Acids are what break down the teeth. Our saliva is a natural neutralizer to these acids. Our saliva can be decreased by taking medications that cause dry mouth and so we need to combat that by using Biotene lozenges and mouth rinses. Another thing that decreases saliva is the decreased saliva production from our saliva glands as we age. Dr. Gagnon has at least one patient a month that has not had a cavity in over 20 years and all of a sudden, they are now in their 50’s and a cavity is found.
Do you have a cavity? We will determine how serious it is and will create a plan of action to restore your tooth. If the cavity is small, a simple filling will more than likely do the trick. If it is a more serious cavity, you may need a root canal or crown for your tooth.
With serious tooth decay and cavities, you may need to have your tooth removed altogether. But don’t worry, in this case, we can help you replace the tooth with an implant, bridge or partial.
Prevent possible oral diseases.
Gum disease and other oral diseases are not that uncommon. Plaque and tartar build-up are the leading causes of these diseases which can have a lasting effect on the health of your mouth. In addition, studies have shown that people with gum disease put a strain on their heart.
We make sure to note every little thing that may lead to these oral diseases. If you visit us before the disease is out of control, Dr. Gagnon can give you preventative measures in order to keep the disease in its primary stage, eventually restoring your mouth to health.
Dentists are here to help you with oral health.
Yes, we give you your check-up and clean your teeth. But we do a lot more than that. We create treatment plans, analyze X-rays, diagnose your symptoms, and prescribe proper medications to keep you and your mouth healthy and clean.
Don’t wait until you need to see us. Optimally, we would like to see our patients every 6 months but we realize this is a stretch for some so try to make it at least once a year. It can be the difference of a beautiful smile and an awful toothache.
If you have any concerns of issues with coming in on regular visits, come talk to us so that we can work around your schedule. For example, Dr. Gagnon and his staff work some later evenings and one Saturday a month to help patients find a time that works for them. We care about our patients and want everyone to find the oral health they deserve.
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