Dental exams and teeth cleaning in Homestead, Florida

Whether you need a routine dental exam and teeth cleaning or are experiencing a problem that requires more extensive dental services, Towncare Dental Associates of Homestead is eager to help.

Take the first step by calling us (786) 738-6500 to make an appointment for a comprehensive dental exam. We take pride in providing our patients with a comfortable, friendly environment where patients feel free to ask questions.

During your first exam at Towncare Dental Associates of Homestead, the dentist will look for signs of:

• Tooth decay
• Teeth grinding
• Bone loss
• Oral cancer
• Periodontal (gum) disease

Teeth Cleaning in Homestead

People love the invigorating sensation of having their teeth professionally cleaned. However, professional teeth cleanings have a more important purpose. They remove the plaque and calculus on your teeth that cause cavities.

Plaque is a sticky, colorless coating that is loaded with bacteria. It forms on your teeth every time you eat and drink. Plaque converts the sugar in cakes, candies and soft drinks into acids that erode the enamel of your teeth and cause tooth decay that can result in cavities, which are basically holes in your teeth.

Within 24 hours, plaque can harden into calculus, or tartar, which can build up on your teeth. That is why is it so important to brush and floss your teeth after every meal to remove plaque before it causes damage to your teeth.

However, only a professional cleaning can remove all of the plaque and tartar on your teeth, especially in hard-to-reach places between the teeth. If left unchecked, the bacteria in plaque and calculus can migrate beneath the gum line, causing periodontal disease, also called gum disease.

Although gum disease can have no symptoms, the first signs are usually red and swollen gums or gums that bleed after brushing and flossing. The first stage of gum disease is called gingivitis. This is the only stage at which gum disease can be treated and the damage reversed. Gingivitis can be treated by a hygienist.

If the gum disease is more advanced, your dentist may refer you to a gum specialist called a periodontist. Our office offers several types of professional cleanings based on the health of your teeth and gums:

• Prophylaxis: People who only require that their teeth be cleaned above the gum line to remove plaque, calculus and surface stains may receive a prophylaxis teeth cleaning. This is also known as a “prophy” or a healthy-mouth cleaning. It is the type of teeth cleaning most often covered by dental insurance. During the prophy, plaque is removed on the teeth and at the gum line. However, this procedure does not remove bacteria below the gum.
• Gingivitis Therapy: If you are diagnosed with gingivitis, the first stage of gum disease, the hygienist or dentist will remove the plaque on the surface of your teeth as well as just below the gum line to halt the advancement of the gum disease.
• Scaling & Root Planing: If you have a more advanced gum infection, you may require treatment above and below the gum line to remove harmful bacteria. Scaling & root planing (SRP) is a non-surgical treatment that removes bacteria and smooths out exposed root surfaces. It may involve the application of an antibiotic and require more than one treatment. Once the treatments are completed, the dentist may prescribe a periodontal maintenance routine to provide cleanings at more frequent intervals to help manage the disease.

Cleaning Teeth Below the Gum Line

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, half of Americans over the age of 30 and 70 percent of Americans over the age of 65 have some form of periodontal disease. This is a chronic disease that often has no symptoms in the early stages.

As the disease progresses, people may notice bad breath, a receding gum line and teeth shifting out of position. Although common, periodontal disease can have a serious impact on your health and quality of life. The same bacteria that causes cavities can seep beneath the gum line and attack the ligaments, tissue and bone that hold the teeth in place under the gums.

As a result, the gum tissue begins to pull away from the teeth, creating “pockets” where more bacteria can gather. Scaling & root planing, also known as deep cleaning, can remove the bacteria beneath the gums but cannot repair the damage. In the later stages of gum disease, the disease can be managed but not reversed.

Our dentist and hygienist at Towncare Dental Associates of Homestead will be happy to answer any questions you have.

Bad Breath Management

Millions of people suffer from bad breath each year. The medical term is halitosis, and it affects 25 percent of the U.S. population.

While bad breath can be related to what you ate recently, more often it’s caused by germs in your mouth. When bacteria causes dental decay, the damaged cells can release an odor.

Professional teeth cleanings and gum treatment will address these issues. But it's equally important to follow a home regimen of brushing your teeth after meals, flossing, and rinsing with a mouthwash, to help keep bad breath under control.

Oral Cancer Screening

Upon your first visit to our office, we will offer an oral cancer screening. This quick, easy, and painless test allows the dentist to see signs of oral cancer that are not visible to the naked eye.

Oral cancer is particularly dangerous because there are often no symptoms in its early stages. By the time symptoms such as a lump are visible, the disease is frequently in its later stages and has metastasized to another location.

The death rate for oral cancer is higher than that of more commonly known cancers including cervical cancer, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, testicular cancer and thyroid cancer.

We recommend everyone over the age of 18 gets screened. Early detection saves lives.

Teeth Grinding & Night Guards

Teeth grinding, which is also called bruxism, is a common condition that affects up to 40 million Americans. In severe cases, it can wear down the enamel of your teeth.

Our dentist will look for signs of teeth grinding and may ask you if you have any of these symptoms:

• Morning headaches
• A sore jaw upon wakening
• Chipped or cracked teeth
• Tooth sensitivity

Teeth grinding is often caused by stress. However, it can also be the result of crooked teeth or a “bad bite.” Our dentist can fit you with a mouth guard to protect your teeth while you sleep.

Call Today to Schedule a Dental Exam

Call Towncare Dental Associates of Homestead today at (786) 738-6500. We look forward to finding a convenient day and time for you or a family member to come in for a comprehensive dental exam.