Quality Dental Cleanings and Exams in Bismarck & Mandan
At Prairie Rose Family Dentists, we know that preventive care is essential for achieving a lifetime of healthy and beautiful smiles. That's why we proudly offer professional cleanings and comprehensive dental exams to patients throughout Bismarck. Scheduling dental cleanings and exams twice a year serves as a barrier against gum disease, infection, decay, and even tooth loss. Such preventive care can also bring hidden complications to light so you can receive the benefits of timely intervention.
When you choose us for dental exams and cleanings in Bismarck, you can expect modern, comprehensive dentistry performed in a comfortable, relaxed, and judgment-free environment. Our team is knowledgeable, welcoming, and ready to provide you with personalized care. If it's been six months or more since your last dental checkup, it's time to give your smile the attention it needs. Contact us to schedule your appointment today!
Comprehensive Dental Exams
We perform thorough dental examinations to get an overview of your oral health and detect problems before they get out of hand. Our dental exams include:
- Checking for cavities, plaque, tartar, and other signs of complications
- A risk assessment for gum disease and tooth decay based on age, lifestyle, and other factors
- Looking for problems with your temporomandibular joints
- Checking your bite for signs of misalignment
- Evaluating existing restorations
- Discussing oral hygiene habits and practices
- Taking dental x-rays as needed
If we notice any dental problems, we will discuss your treatment options with you. Also, we may ask you about your medical history, medications, diet, and lifestyle. With this information, we can determine how you might respond to recommended procedures.
Dental Cleanings and Exams for Children
Our family dentists work with patients of all ages. We recommend that dental exams and cleanings start at a very young age, by your child's first birthday or shortly after the first tooth erupts. This is important for ensuring that your kid's teeth grow in properly and stay healthy. Our dental team will examine your child's smile for any signs of damaging dental problems. We will also brush, floss, and polish their teeth to ensure they are healthy, strong, and bright.
During your appointment, we will be happy to give you tips on how you can help your child practice healthy oral hygiene habits. Children love mimicking adults, so they can easily learn from you. Our team provides child-friendly tutorials and loves teaching kids how to take care of their teeth in fun and creative ways.
Professional Teeth Cleaning in Bismarck
Professional dental cleanings are critical in maintaining your oral health and helping your natural teeth last a lifetime. We perform teeth cleanings after an exam to eliminate bacteria and plaque so your smile will look and feel fresh and healthy.
Using a small mirror for guidance, our dental hygienist will clean the surfaces of the teeth and gums, targeting plaque and tartar. Plaque is a sticky film that forms on the teeth, comprised of bacteria, saliva, and food debris. Tartar is hardened plaque that has firmly attached to the tooth surface over time. While plaque can be removed with normal brushing and flossing, tartar requires a professional cleaning to eliminate. Left untreated, plaque and tartar can lead to serious oral health issues.
Our hygienist will use specialized tools to get rid of loose particles and floss between each tooth. Finally, we polish your enamel to remove stains that are not otherwise removed during tooth brushing. Depending on your needs, we may provide you with a fluoride treatment to protect your teeth against cavities.
Digital X-Rays for Precise and Safer Diagnosis
At Prairie Rose Family Dentists, we stay ahead of the curve by using state-of-the-art dental technologies, including digital x-rays. During your dental exam, our dentists may use digital x-rays to produce precise digital images of your teeth, gums, and jaw. We can view and enlarge these images to get a comprehensive understanding of your oral health and to identify problems that may not be visible with traditional x-rays. Digital x-rays reduce radiation up to 90%, making them much safer for patients. They are available instantly and work without x-ray films.
The need for x-rays will depend on your individual dental health. Our dentists will recommend x-rays based on a dental exam, your medical and dental history, your age, signs and symptoms, and risk of disease.
Periodontal Charting to Maintain Optimal Oral Health
Periodontal charting is a critical part of your annual exam. We use an instrument known as a probe to measure pockets - the spaces between a tooth and the surrounding gum tissue. The probe has markings that indicate how deep it can reach into the pockets. We also check for areas of gum recession and bleeding of the gum tissue.
By creating a perio chart, we will have the information we need to assess and track the progress of your dental health. We will update your chart every time you have a dental exam, allowing us to detect any changes to your gums.
Oral Cancer Screenings
We are not only dedicated to your smile but also to your overall health and well-being. That's why we have oral cancer screening as a part of your regular exam. Oral cancer includes cancers of the tongue, lips, cheeks, sinuses, throat, floor of the mouth, and soft and hard palate. This disease can be life-threatening and it's unfortunate that many cases aren't properly diagnosed until they've progressed into an advanced stage.
We have the skills and tools required to detect signs and symptoms of oral cancer and precancerous conditions. We perform a simple, fast, and non-invasive screening that involves a close examination of your oral cavity as a whole. In addition to a visual exam of your mouth and throat, our dentist will also feel the tissue of your mouth because some abnormalities are felt rather than seen. By locating areas of cancerous or precancerous cells, we can potentially improve the range of treatment options and likelihood of successful treatment.
Protect Your Health With Bismarck Exams & Cleanings
If you're looking to benefit from preventive dentistry, look no further than Prairie Rose Family Dentists. We provide thorough and effective dental exams, cleanings, and treatments designed to keep your smile healthy and beautiful for life. Our office is friendly, inviting, and equipped with the latest advancements in dental technology.
We encourage you to schedule family visits so that more than one cleaning is done at a time. Contact us to schedule your visit today!