A - A comprehensive examination is necessary in order to determine if there are potential tooth or gum problems that could cause you serious problems in the future. It is much better to treat problems early before they cause pain. Often times, the delayed detection and treatment result in more complicated and more expensive treatment. Prevention and early treatment is the best course of actio

For adults, the answer is usually 2, 3, or 4 times per year. This depends on your individual situation related to oral health and level of home care and overall health NO! whitening does not damage teeth. It cleans the pores in the tooth surface. It can, however, create sensitivity for up to 24 hours. Call us for information about Cosmetic and Reconstructive Dentistry at our Washington DC office, (202) 833-8240.

Now is an especially important time to use our uniquely formulated products. Your Veterinarian scales under the pet’s gum-line and in most cases this area does not immediately seal back to your pet's teeth. By using PetzLife Oral care products you kill the bacteria that could enter directly into your pet's bloodstream.

A - Your Soft Tissue Management program (Home Care, Deep Cleaning, and Use of medicaments) is a non-surgical approach to control periodontal disease. There is NO CURE for periodontal disease, it can only be managed or control. The bacteria that causes periodontal disease re-establishes in 3 months after treatment. A 3-month RECARE visit is critically timed to disrupt these bacteria in pockets greater than four millimeters n order to disable the destructive process at its critical stage.

YES, just like professional athletes have coaches & trainers, we must have a "coach" to let us know where our problem areas are in our mouth, i.e., if we are missing an area between our teeth when brushing or irrigating.

Gum disease is a serious infection. Evidence now links gum disease to a variety of health concerns, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and other degenerative diseases that are life threatening. It's not just about your teeth anymore. Gum disease can be a disfiguring disease. Your gums swell in size and become red. They may bleed very readily. Your teeth may shift and dark spaces between your teeth may start showing. The teeth then become loose and may need to be removed.

Professional cleanings are the only way to remove hardened deposits of tartar (calculus) from the teeth. If these deposits are not removed, gum disease and periodontal disease usually result. Professional cleanings smooth and polish teeth and fillings so they are less likely to accumulate plaque, the sticky film of germs and food that forms daily. Finally, a cleaning removes stains and mild discolorations so the teeth look better.

Commercial dog foods contain carbohydrates and other ingredients that support oral bacteria, leading to the formation of plaque and tartar (calculus). If this material is not cleaned off of your dog's teeth, it can lead to bad breath, gingivitis, infection of the bone surrounding the tooth, tooth loss, and systemic infection. Inflammation of the gums (gingivitis) can make it painful for your dog to eat, causing it to lose weight and drop food from its mouth.

This will vary with each individual case. Daily cleaning will help keep calculus formation to a minimum, but it won't completely prevent it. A professional cleaning is necessary to remove calculus and plaque from places your home care tools cannot reach. The intervals between visits may range from every few weeks to four times per year. Your periodontist will design a schedule that best fits your periodontal needs.

In our offices, we have you see the doctor first so that he or she can determine what type of cleaning appointment is best for you. We want to make sure you have had a thorough exam before any type of treatment is done. Also, during this appointment, areas of concern may be identified that need to be taken care of before you see the hygienist.

Simply throwing it in the trash could be harmful for the environment. Instead, you can use free drop-off sites throughout the County. It only takes 5-10 minutes and is a safe way to dispose of hazardous waste. For dropoff sites and to make an appointment call: East County 925-778-4040; West County 1-888-412-9277; Central and South County, 1-800-646-1431. Recycle your motor oil in clean, empty, plastic containers with tight lids.

the plaque and calculus accumulate, the periodontal disease continues. Supporting tissues around the teeth (gums, periodontal ligaments, bone) are lost. Periodontal pockets form which trap additional plaque. Bad breath often accompanies this condition. Once the bone that supports the teeth is lost, it will not regrow without surgical intervention.