A Clean Bill of Oral Health
Receiving regular professional dental exams and cleanings is vital for maintaining and protecting your oral health. If it’s been a while since you last visited your dentist for a dental checkup, it may be time to schedule your appointment.
Our family dentist, Dr. Brian Fitz, has over 30 years of experience in dental care. He and our New Image Dental team are proud to serve patients in Roselle, Elgin, Bartlett, IL, and the surrounding areas.
The Importance of Oral Hygiene
Keeping up with your oral hygiene means you’re keeping your mouth clean and free of bacteria. By maintaining a proper at-home oral hygiene routine, you can achieve excellent dental health and a stunning smile. An oral hygiene routine includes the following:
- Brushing your teeth twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush and a non-abrasive toothpaste
- Flossing twice a day
- Visiting our Streamwood office every six months
The Benefits of Dental Cleanings
Professional dental cleanings are one of the most important ways of removing built-up plaque and tartar. Contrary to popular belief, normal dental hygiene routines at home are not enough to keep harmful bacteria and cavities away. Although brushing and flossing may help stop the progression of bacteria, these habits alone don’t substitute professional dental care.
Identifying possible health issues- Your teeth can tell your doctor a lot about your overall health. By examining your teeth, our Streamwood dentist may be alerted to symptoms of:
- Cardiovascular disease
- Pneumonia
- Stroke
- Pregnancy complications
- Endocarditis
If signs of these conditions are identified, please follow up with your primary care physician.
Reducing plaque buildup- Professional teeth cleanings are one of the most effective ways to get rid of pesky build-ups of plaque and tartar.
Identifying gum disease- Dr. Fitz may be able to diagnose periodontal disease by looking for signs of gum recession, bleeding, and tooth mobility. If these are noticed, your dentist may recommend periodontal treatment.
Screening for Oral Cancer- Your dentist is an expert in oral health, he knows what a healthy mouth looks like. This puts your dentist in the best position to spot early signs of oral cancer. Early detection leads to a higher survival rate, so don’t hesitate to schedule a screening appointment if you suspect you may have symptoms of oral cancer.
Frequently Asked Questions
In general, Dr. Fitz recommends coming in for cleanings and checkups twice a year. Depending on your individual oral health needs we may recommend visiting your dentist more frequently. To get started on keeping your oral health in its pristine condition with dental cleanings, call our Streamwood office to schedule your appointment today.
During your teeth cleaning, the dental hygienist will mostly be working on the surfaces of your teeth, so pain is unlikely. However, if you have sensitive gums or teeth, you may experience some discomfort during the cleaning. If this occurs, Dr. Fitz can use a local or topical anesthetic to prevent discomfort.
Children should begin seeing their dentist regularly as soon as their first baby tooth begins to come in. Plaque and tartar buildup can happen at any age, and it’s important to develop healthy habits early.
For more information about what to expect from your child’s first visit, see our information about children’s dentistry.
Professional teeth cleanings are essential to maintaining good oral health. Dr. Fitz uses professional-grade tools to remove hardened plaque and tartar that can’t be removed by brushing and flossing on your own. If left untreated, a build-up of plaque and tartar may lead to oral health complications such as cavities and tooth decay.
If you have a dental insurance policy, your dental cleaning may be partially or fully covered, and you won’t need to pay for it yourself. However, if you don’t have dental insurance, you will need to pay for the cleaning out-of-pocket. To find out how much your cleaning will cost, please contact the office for assistance.
A Clean Path to Dental Health
Routine dental check-ups are crucial for avoiding oral health complications. If you haven’t had at least two regular dental visits this year, it may be time to schedule an appointment at our Streamwood, IL office. Call our office at (630) 837-0887 or fill out our online contact form. We can’t wait to see you!
