Dental exams and teeth cleaning in Miami, Florida

We offer a comfortable atmosphere in which there’s no need to feel embarrassed or distressed about the condition of your teeth. Our goal is to help you restore you smile, no matter what state your oral health is in. During your first dental exam at Dental Associates of Kendall, your dentist will look for signs of:

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

Many of our patients have been coming to us for years because they trust us to keep their mouth, teeth and gums healthy. We look forward to building a trusting relationship with you as well.

Teeth Cleaning in Kendall

A professional teeth cleaning is the one dental procedure people don’t seem to mind receiving. Most of the calls to our office are from people requesting appointments for professional teeth cleanings. Professional cleanings are essential to good oral health. They remove the plaque and calculus from the surface of your teeth that cause tooth decay.

Plaque is a sticky film that adheres to your teeth every time you eat and drink. It is loaded with bacteria that convert sugars into acids. These acids erode the enamel on your teeth and create cavities, which are literally holes in your teeth. This is the reason why dentist constantly urge patients to brush and floss after meals to remove the plaque. If left on the teeth, plaque can harden into a substance called calculus in less than 24 hours.

Calculus is even more difficult to remove from teeth. Nevertheless, brushing and flossing won’t remove all the plaque and calculus on your teeth. Only a professional teeth cleaning can reach those places in between your teeth that brushing and flossing miss.

Not only do the bacteria in plaque and calculus erode the tooth enamel, it can make its way beneath the gums and cause a gum infection that can lead to periodontal disease. Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease. It’s also the only stage in which the disease can be cured. Signs of gingivitis include red and swollen gums and gums that bleed when you brush and floss.

At this early stage, the hygienist can still treat the infection. The type of teeth cleaning you need depends on the health of your teeth and gums. Here are some examples of dental treatments for hygiene:

• Prophylaxis: People who only need their teeth cleaned above the gum line to remove plaque, calculus and surface stains receive a prophylaxis teeth cleaning. This is also known as a “prophy” or a healthy-mouth cleaning, Dentists recommend you get a prophy twice a year. These cleanings are often covered by dental insurance.
• Gingivitis Therapy: Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease and the only stage that is reversible. If you are diagnosed with gingivitis, the hygienist or dentist will provide additional services to remove plaque on the teeth and just below the gum line.
• Scaling & Root Planing: When the gum infection is more advanced, the dentist may recommend a scaling & root planning procedure to remove harmful bacteria above and below the gum. Scaling & root planing (SRP) is a non-surgical treatment that removes bacteria and smooths out exposed root surfaces. It also may include the application of an antibiotic. SRP may require multiple visits to your dental office. Afterward, your dentist may prescribe more frequent cleanings to help manage the disease. If the disease is in the later stages, the dentist also may recommend you see a gum specialist called a periodontist for treatment.

Cleaning Teeth Below the Gum Line

Half of Americans over the age of 30 have some form of gum disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). That number rises to 70 percent for people over the age of 65. It is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults.

The same bacteria that cause tooth decay can also target the ligaments, tissue and bone that hold teeth in place under the gums. As a result, the gum tissue pulls away from the tooth, resulting in “pockets” around the tooth where more bacteria can gather. Some people with periodontal disease have no symptoms. In other cases, they may notice blood when they brush or floss. As the infection advances, they may have bad breath, a receding gum line and teeth that have shifted out of position.

Scaling & root planing and other forms of periodontal treatment remove bacteria, but can’t repair the damage. Like arthritis and diabetes, periodontal disease is a chronic, systemic disease. It can only be reversed in its earliest stage. Once it progresses, it can be managed but not reversed.

Bad Breath Management

If you’ve been told that you have bad breath, you’re part of a big club. Millions of people suffer from bad breath. 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 for lunch or dinner, it’s more likely caused by germs in your mouth.

When teeth begin to decay, the damaged cells release a disagreeable odor. Fortunately, halitosis is easily remedied with professional teeth cleanings and gum treatment. Following up with the proper at-home dental care, including brushing your teeth after meals, flossing and rinsing with a mouthwash, also will help keep bad breath under control.

Oral Cancer Screening

We will offer to do an oral cancer screening as part of your first visit to our office. 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 often has no symptoms in its early stages. By the time symptoms such as a lumps in the cheek and sores inside the mouth are visible, the disease may have advanced to later stages and metastasized to another location.

An average of one person dies from oral cancer in the United States every hour, according to the Oral Cancer Foundation. 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. Early detection saves lives. We recommend everyone over the age of 18 gets screened.

Teeth Grinding & Night Guards

If you’ve ever awoken with a sore jaw, you may be grinding your teeth in your sleep. Teeth grinding, called bruxism, is a common condition that affects up to 40 million Americans. If it's severe enough, it can wear down the enamel of your teeth. Our dentist will examine your teeth for signs of grinding and may ask you if you have any of these symptoms:

• Morning headaches
• Wake with a sore jaw
• Chipped or cracked teeth
• Tooth sensitivity

In most cases, teeth grinding is caused by stress. But 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 Dental Associates of Kendall today at (305) 459-3204 to make an appointment for a comprehensive dental exam. We look forward to meeting you and helping you get your smile back on track.