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Give Yourself a Dental Checkup
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Posted on 9/25/2015 by Tom Bierman |
 In between your regular dental checkups with our office, we encourage our patients to give themselves dental checkups at home as well.
These in depth examinations of your own mouth will give you clues when something is going wrong in your mouth that needs attention before your next six month check-up. The earlier that you catch problems, the easier they are to treat them - so don't skip this important step in your oral health care routine!
Look for Plaque Close UpEvery few weeks or more often, if you like, take a small dental mirror or any type of magnifying mirror and get a close up view of the areas surrounding your gums and behind your teeth. These are the areas that plaque tends to build up and if you are in the habit of rushing through your brushing and flossing routine, you might have missed these areas. If you notice an abundance of plaque upon inspection, brush and floss those areas carefully in order to remove it.
Inspect Your GumsHow often do you look at your gums? Would you know if they were puffy, red, or bleeding? If you notice these things, you should come in for an appointment right away as they are often the signs of gum disease. Take a few minutes every so often and inspect your gums, looking not only for plaque, but any signs of change in them. If you notice that they are tender to the touch or look swollen, it is time to get a check-up to rule out gingivitis or periodontitis.
Pay Attention when you Eat/Drink
When you are eating or drinking your favorite food/drink, do you shrink back in pain from the sensitivity to hot or cold foods? This is a sign of impending trouble in your mouth. Tooth sensitivity does not automatically mean something bad, but it could be a sign of tooth decay, gum disease, receding gums, or even a fractured tooth. Every so often, pay attention to your reactions when you eat to see how your mouth feels and then be sure to report those findings back to us so that we know what we are dealing with when we are helping you achieve optimal oral health.
How do you Feel?
One of the most overlooked symptoms of dental issues is feeling unwell. If you grind your teeth or suffer from sleep apnea, you may have a feeling of general illness all of the time. This is likely because you are not getting the proper quality and amount of sleep that is necessary for optimal health. If you are constantly waking due to sleep apnea, you are likely chronically fatigued. If you are grinding your teeth at night, you could wake up with tense jaws, chronic headaches, or tense shoulders/neck. These are all signs that you need a dental check-up to determine if your oral health is causing this feeling of being constantly ill.
Your dental health is nothing to take lightly, which is why we encourage our patients to pay close attention to it in between their appointments with us. The more knowledgeable you are about your own oral health, the better partner you will be with us as we work together to help you save your natural teeth and feel well all of the time. Taking care of your oral health does not take a lot of time, but it does take consistency. Talk to us about your oral health needs and we will help you get back on track.
Please call us for your appointment today and we will partner up to get you optimal oral health for many years to come!
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New Patient Special
$249 New Patient Special: Includes x-rays, initial cleaning, comprehensive exam and photos. Does not include periodontal therapy (deep cleaning) if necessary due to periodontal disease. Some restrictions may apply. - Contact our office.
"The staff at San Diego Dental Studio were so courteous and helpful to me during my visit to their office. Dr. Bierman was very kind and answered all my questions."
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