Exams and Consultation
Most of the conditions that negatively affect your smile can be avoided with regular care. Dr. Hamman and his team are committed to answering your questions about proper hygiene and providing you with the most advanced preventive dentistry available.
Exam: Health of Gums and Supporting Bone
Dr. Hamman and his team will spend time gathering needed information prior to talking with you about your dental care needs. It is important for us to have a good baseline of information so we can track your successes. If you are periodontally healthy, that is where we want you to stay. Once diagnosed with periodontal disease, dealing with its effects in your mouth and teeth will be a continual battle throughout your lifetime. Monitoring will be done through thorough documentation whether you are periodontally healthy or in need of periodontal treatment.
Professional Dental Cleaning Appointments
This appointment is performed by a registered dental hygienist. In our practice, you can see the same hygienist at each cleaning visit so that you can develop a relationship. The hygienist will remove plaque (soft deposits), tartar or calculus (hard deposits), and stain from your teeth. An evaluation of the your gum tissue, including probing pockets and recording their depths for future reference, is also completed. After the cleaning, polishing removes stains giving a cosmetic whiteness to your smile.
Additionally, you will have all of your questions answered about your at-home care procedures and products. If you have trouble either choosing the right toothbrush or effectively flossing, your hygienist can help. Should you develop gum disease; our hygienist will provide counsel and treatment to control the condition. We believe in providing you with personalized attention every time you visit so you can expect us to take care of you without feeling rushed.
Fluoride Treatment
Fluoride is a mineral that is found naturally in many things we eat or drink and is a natural preventive agent against decay. Professional (in-office) fluoride treatments make teeth stronger and even reverse damage from decay in the outer layers of enamel on the smooth surfaces of the teeth. Additional home fluoride treatments also assist in this process. In the lifelong fight against cavities, Dr. Hamman believes that children and certain adults benefit from in-office treatment and at- home fluoride treatments.
The benefits of fluoride include:
● Strengthening teeth
● Remineralizing weakened areas on teeth
● Desensitizing teeth
● Providing antimicrobial effects
Q: How does fluoride help my teeth?
A: Research shows that fluoride reduces cavities in both children and in adults by halting tooth decay. It also helps repair the early stages of tooth decay even before the decay becomes visible. Interestingly, many people continue to be misinformed about fluoride and fluoridation. Fluoride is a safe chemical component when used correctly. When your dentist applies fluoride to your teeth, usually in the form of a fluoride varnish, gel, or foam, that fluoride is more concentrated than the fluoride contained in toothpaste or mouthwash. The ADA recommends that dental professionals use any of the professional strength, fluoride varnish, gel or foam products carrying the ADA Seal of Acceptance.
At-Home Care or Co-Therapy
It will be important for you to work with the dental hygienist so that you can achieve the healthiest mouth possible. This will mean working together through at-home care or through co-therapy in order to keep your teeth for your lifetime. It is a commitment from you to do your best at home and a commitment from your hygienist to provide the best treatment possible during your hygiene appointments.
Q: I brush every day, but my breath is just not fresh. Is there anything else I can do?
A: Millions of people struggle with halitosis, or bad breath, despite daily teeth brushing. Here is a checklist of procedures that can eliminate the problem: twice daily brushing, daily flossing, and tongue cleaning; regular professional cleanings and careful cleaning of any dentures or removable dental appliances. However, if your hygiene is meticulous and the problem still persists, we can offer several alternate solutions.
First, we can provide a plastic tool called a tongue scraper that cleans away bacterial build-up on your tongue, significantly alleviating odor. Or, we can recommend a specially prepared rinse or toothpaste designed to actually break down the odor-causing sulfur bonds that cause bad breath. Finally, if we suspect a systemic or internal problem such as an infection or other underlying condition, in which case we may recommend you visit your family physician or specialist to identify the cause.
Testimonial
“Fantastic dentist, great with my two young children under 10 years old. Great staff; lots of services. Can’t say enough about them.”
• Hector N.
New Patient Forms
Download our new patient forms and fill them out before your appointment so we can attend to your medical needs more quickly.
We’re here to help. Contact Us!
