book now
Routine care dentistry is diagnostic and preventive in nature. Routine care exams and cleanings are typically recommended every six months. However, the frequency of preventive treatment can vary according to your oral health status and known risk factors.
For example, if you smoke, have diabetes or certain oral health conditions— more frequent cleanings and exams are likely to prove beneficial in preventing, detecting and treating conditions like periodontal disease at a manageable stage.
In either case, consistent check-ups and preventative care pays dividends by increasing the likelihood of catching relatively minor oral health conditions before they evolve into major and perhaps, irreversible ones down the road.
Your hygienist is typically the first dental care professional to screen for and detect the presence and severity of oral health conditions. The hygienist and dentist use examination results to collaboratively treat your unique oral health condition(s) and guide future preventative care. A comprehensive routine care visit at Ritt Dental will focus on assessing and treating two areas of the body.
The intraoral component of the exam involves the assessment of teeth, gums, bone and connective tissue. Evaluation of periodontal pocket depth is performed to determine the health of your gums. This portion of the exam will reveal whether or not there are signs of gum disease. For new patients, this sets a baseline for future comparison.
During the extraoral exam we’ll visually assess lymph nodes, muscles, and tendons local to the head and neck region. The hygienist will be on the lookout for the presence of nodules and other abnormalities.
Dedication to a consistent home care regimen, rooted in proper technique, is one of the most significant factors within your control that shapes your oral health.
Ritt Dental devotes significantly more chair time for routine care exams and cleanings than other dental practices. We’ve learned through years of serving the community that this attention to detail provides increased quality of care, better overall long-term oral health outcomes and your peace of mind.
Brushing and flossing techniques are described and demonstrated in a way that equips patients with the proper techniques to maintain their smile via a consistent home care regimen. Your hygienist will take the time to demonstrate proper brushing and flossing as it pertains specifically to your needs.
The hygienist will initiate a dialogue with you in respect to oral health and risk factors. This includes importance of nutrition and the impact of foods, drinks and high-risk behaviors like smoking. Methods to eliminate or mitigate the effects of substances that adversely affect oral health (such as smoking cessation) are provided if applicable to you.
Dialogue about your oral health is intended to educate and inspire change that eliminates or mitigates risk factors that are within your control— never to judge. This serves to culminate in a clear and direct action plan that patients can put into practice to realize results.
Diligent home care rooted in proper fundamentals directly shapes the future of your oral health picture. Sticking to a daily home care regimen as-directed puts you in the driver’s seat. Stick with it and you will see results! And when you experience results— you’ll have the motivation to stick with it.
For teeth that last a lifetime— there’s no getting around putting in the effort. You are your own best line of defense against oral health conditions. Together, we’ll work together to treat, educate and inspire you to achieve and keep the smile you want the world to see.
.png){kind=logo}