Chicopee Family Dental - Services in Chicopee MA and Springfield MA

• Cleanings and Checkups:
  Most children and adults should see the dentist for a regular cleaning and check up every six months. People at a greater risk for oral diseases should have dental check ups more than twice a year.

  Tobacco and alcohol use, diabetes, pregnancy, periodontal and gum disease, poor oral hygiene and certain medical conditions are some of the many factors that the dentist takes into consideration when deciding how often you need your dental cleaning and check up.

  Going to your regular check ups will help to keep your gums and teeth healthy as well as detect any early problems such as gum disease, oral cancer and cavities. The best way to maintain good oral health is to visit your dentist on a regular basis.

  During a checkup visit, you sometimes will see two of our professionals - the dentist and the dental hygienist. The hygienist typically will check your gums and teeth, clean and polish your teeth, and talk to you about caring for your teeth and gums properly at home. Your dentist also may do a clinical examination, diagnose problems and recommend treatments. Here's what to expect:

  Cleaning - The purpose of a professional dental cleaning is to remove the hard calculus (also called tartar) from above and just below the gum line. Brushing and flossing at home removes plaque. Only dental instruments can remove calculus. We will follow up with hand instruments to thoroughly clean the teeth.

  Polishing - After the calculus is removed, the crowns of your teeth (the parts that show) may be polished to remove plaque and surface stains. Typically, but not always, an abrasive substance is applied to the teeth with a small rotating rubber cup or brush. This helps to scrub away stains. The polishing substance will feel gritty in your mouth. You will be given chances to rinse.

  Prevention - The hygienist may offer instructions for oral care at home based on the results of the exam. He or she may demonstrate how to brush and floss properly. Sometimes, the hygienist will teach you to use a disclosing agent to test your brushing ability. A disclosing agent is a red solution or tablet that is applied to the teeth or chewed. The agent attaches to plaque and colors it to make it visible. Then you brush your teeth. You'll be able to see any plaque that you missed. Not all dentists and hygienists recommend disclosing agents because they can be tricky to use. For example, they may highlight some areas of plaque that can be removed only by professional polishing. They may also stain tooth-colored fillings. Some experts recommend using a disclosing agent only at the dentist's office, and only if the hygienist is prepared to polish any remaining red color off the teeth afterward. Other dental experts, however, believe that disclosing agents are a useful tool for improving oral hygiene practices. They recommend that some patients use them at home.

  X-rays - X-rays may or may not be taken during your checkup. In the past, many dentists took X-rays at every checkup. But the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) currently says that X-rays are not needed at every visit. Although dental X-rays are safe, the FDA says unnecessary exposure should be limited because the effects of radiation add up ohver time. People also are exposed to radiation from many other sources. Some people may be able to go as long as two years between X-rays. Others may need them every few months. Your dentist will consider the results of your clinical examination, your dental history and your individual risk for developing cavities. Then he or she will decide if you need X-rays during your check-up visit. If you are seeing a new dentist for the first time, ask for a copy of your X-rays from your former dentist. This will help you to avoid repeating X-rays.

  Treatment recommendations - If your dentist finds any problems, he or she will recommend steps to fix them. These may include a referral to a specialist (such as a periodontist or orthodontist). You also may need further tests for diagnosis. You may have to return to the dentist for a filling or more intensive periodontal treatment.

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