General Dental Services in Arlington WA
A broad term, general dentistry includes preventive, restorative, and prosthetic dental services. As general dentists, Drs. Pav and Pindi Momi believe that preventive dental care at home and in our Arlington, WA, dental clinic can save you from needing costly, time-consuming dental work later in life.
Whether you’ve had checkups and cleanings since childhood or you’re ready to prioritize your oral health for the first time, our kind and gentle clinical team will help you along your journey to excellent oral health. A great oral care plan starts with a comprehensive checkup, followed by a thorough dental cleaning. If needed, Dr. Momi will tell you about his findings and explain the recommended treatment.
What to Expect at Your Dental Checkup
When you visit Arlington Dental Clinic for your semi-annual dental checkup, we’ll ask you about your dental and medical history, current conditions and medications, and how we can customize care for you. Some people suffer from anxiety in a dentist’s office, and that’s okay! Just let us know so that we can take measures to help you feel calm and confident.
Your exam will consist of assessing:
- X-rays of your jaws, teeth roots, crowns, and nerves
- Every tooth in your mouth for damaged teeth or worn dental work
- Soft tissues for spots or lesions
- Head and neck for lumps or abnormalities
- Jaw motion and occlusion (how top and bottom teeth fit together)
- Aesthetics, if you’re interested in a cosmetic consultation
After the checkup, Dr. Pav or Pindi Momi will present the findings and treatment plan. Please ask as many questions as you like. If you truly understand the suggested treatments and why they’re necessary, you can make informed decisions about your oral healthcare.
What to Expect at Your Dental Cleaning
If you’ve had a dental cleaning in the last six months or so, and Dr. Momi does not suspect gum disease, you may qualify for a dental cleaning right after your checkup. Patients who’ve not had a cleaning in the past six months and those with gum disease will need to schedule their professional dental cleaning separately, because it will probably take over an hour.
A regular dental cleaning entails probing the gum tissue to record the presence and depth of any periodontal pockets. These pockets, or gaps, between teeth and gums form when plaque and tartar break down the natural connective tissues. Inside the warm, dark pockets, bacteria rapidly reproduce to cause gum disease.
Next, the hygienist will remove plaque, tartar, and debris from on and between your teeth. Plaque is a naturally-occurring, sticky substance that’s usually yellow or dark in color. It builds up at the base of and between teeth.
Plaque that isn’t brushed or flossed away hardens into tartar, or calculus, in about 48 hours. Tartar cannot be removed at home by brushing and flossing, but only by professional cleaning. To complete a regular dental cleaning, the hygienist will polish your teeth to a silky smooth finish.
Patients with gingivitis or periodontitis, which are levels of gum disease, will need a deep dental cleaning. This procedure, also performed by a hygienist, involves scaling teeth to remove tartar below the gum line, then planing teeth roots to make them smooth. Rough spots on teeth roots can harbor bacteria, so smoothing the surfaces eliminates areas for plaque to accumulate.
We can usually complete a deep dental cleaning in one visit, but sometimes a patient needs two or even three visits for the entire procedure. Length of treatment depends upon the level of gum disease. Also, because gum disease is a chronic condition, patients will need to return at approximately three-month intervals for additional deep cleanings until the disease goes into remission.
How to Further Promote Great Oral Health
To keep your mouth healthy, brush twice a day with an ADA-approved, fluoridated toothpaste. Floss once, preferably after dinner, before bed. If regular dental floss is cumbersome for you, try pre-threaded flossers. They’re easier to maneuver, particularly when flossing molars.
Also, follow through with your treatment plan. Teeth do not heal naturally: cavities, cracks, chips, infections, and abscesses only worsen with time. If you attend regular checkups and cleanings, and follow through with your treatment plan, you could enjoy a healthy mouth – and healthier body!
Call to Schedule Your Family’s Checkup and Cleaning Visits
Ready to schedule? Call us at (360) 435-4043 to make appointments for you and your loved ones. Our dental office is located at 520 North Olympic Ave, Arlington WA 98223. We look forward to seeing your smile.