Dental Exams and Cleanings in Humble, TX

Dental exams in Humble, TX, are all about educating patients on the current state of their oral health and then tailoring dental care to their needs. We take photos and digital radiographs and review our findings with the patient. 

This provides patients with a complete picture of their oral health and the information they need to make the best possible decisions about their smile's health.

Each patient receives a comprehensive evaluation based on five main aspects of oral health:

• Evaluation of dental conditions
• Jaw, bite, and muscle evaluation
• Periodontal evaluation, including gums and bone
• Appearance of teeth and smile
• Oral cancer screening

At Humble Dentistry, we always want patients to understand their options, which is why we take time to answer questions and address concerns.

Why Regular Checkups Are Your Best Defense: The Benefits of Prevention

Of course, preventive dentistry should always be coupled with excellent oral hygiene, but the importance of regular checkups and teeth cleanings cannot be emphasized enough.

The Oral-Systemic Health Connection

Your oral health is directly linked to your physical wellness. Conditions like gum disease can lead to tooth loss and so much more:

• Heart and lung complications
• Pregnancy complications
• Specific types of dementia
• Rheumatoid arthritis 

The goal is to prevent gum disease, but if you do develop it, treatment can lower your risk of associated complications.

Early Detection: Saving Time, Money, and Teeth

Most insurance providers cover two checkups and teeth cleanings per year. By taking advantage of these benefits, you can potentially save yourself time and money on complex or drawn-out treatments that were preventable, such as root canal infection, gum disease, and tooth loss. 

Preventive dentistry is any service or treatment meant to prevent dental issues in the future. For example, a professional teeth cleaning lowers your risk of gum disease and cavities. Visiting your dentist regularly for exams helps prevent costly dental issues down the line.

When it comes to prevention, you also play a role. An excellent at-home hygiene routine is essential. We encourage you to brush and floss your teeth at least twice a day. If you’re prone to cavities, your Humble, TX dentist may recommend additional at-home steps to keep your teeth healthy.  

Dental Exam vs. Dental Cleaning: Understanding the Two Key Components

Your comprehensive dental exam includes diagnostic procedures, potential imaging, and a thorough assessment of your oral health and supporting tissues.

• Thorough checkup
• Periodic x-rays
• Oral cancer screening
• Treatment planning

A professional teeth cleaning is the preventive stage of your twice-yearly dental visit. Your hygienist removes tartar and plaque from the teeth using special dental tools. Remember, even if you brush and floss regularly, at-home tools cannot remove stubborn tartar and other debris from the teeth and gums, which can cause ongoing oral health complications. 

How Often Do I Need a Professional Teeth Cleaning?

No two patients are alike, and a personalized approach to dental cleanings adapts to patients ' changing needs throughout their lives.

Our hygienist has nearly 30 years of experience. She uses ultrasonic scalers and Oraquix® topical anesthetic to enhance patient comfort. From routine dental cleanings to deep cleanings designed to control periodontal disease and keep the gums and bone that support teeth healthy, our hygienist will ensure your comfort and provide valuable information to help you stay on track for better oral health.

Some patients may require more frequent professional cleaning to better maintain their oral health, in which case we work with them to set up custom checkup schedules. 

Are Dental X-Rays Safe?

We use digital intra-oral and panoramic radiographs (x-rays). Our digital sensors are highly sensitive, enabling us to achieve the same image quality with less radiation exposure than with traditional film.

Radiation is everywhere around us, including sources beyond the sun. We may be exposed to radiation from the brick or concrete in our homes, the food we eat, and even specific activities such as smoking or flying. It is estimated that the average American receives about 6.2 millisieverts (mSv) of radiation exposure per year from all sources.

Dental radiographs, in comparison, are very low-dose. One set of bitewing radiographs (four x-rays of the back teeth) is about 0.02 mSv, while a complete mouth series (about 18 images) is 0.09 mSv. In simpler terms, one set of bitewing radiographs is about one day of radiation exposure, while a complete mouth series is about five days of radiation exposure.

Fluoride is a safe, naturally occurring mineral found in many plants, soil, freshwater, and saltwater. Some areas of west Texas, Arizona, Colorado, and Mexico have high concentrations of naturally occurring fluoride in the drinking water. Fluoride is often added in optimal concentrations to drinking water, toothpaste, and mouth rinses to help prevent cavities.

Fluoride treatments can also be applied in-office as a sticky varnish that delivers higher concentrations of the cavity-fighting mineral. Fluoride varnishes can be used every 3 to 6 months and are especially beneficial for patients at high risk of developing new cavities. 

Fluoride prevents cavities by helping to remineralize teeth that have been damaged by acid. Acid can come from food and drinks, as well as from the bacteria in our mouths. Our teeth go through multiple demineralization and remineralization cycles each day.

Community water fluoridation was first introduced to Grand Rapids, MI, in 1945. Since then, extensive research has been conducted on the safety and effectiveness of water fluoridation, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has deemed it one of the ten most significant public health achievements of the 20th century. 

What Are Fluoride Treatments?

Fluoride helps prevent decay by remineralizing the enamel that covers your teeth. We use fluoride varnish, which provides greater protection than fluoride toothpaste alone. It can also improve sensitivity caused by gum recession.

We keep a variety of fluoride varnish flavors for both children and adults in our Humble, TX, dental office.

Can Dental Sealants Help Me?

Dental sealants in Humble, TX, are a barrier that Dr. Appel applies to the grooves of the back teeth to prevent bacteria from causing decay in patients with a history of decay or who wish to add an extra layer of protection.

Dr. Appel will paint tooth-colored sealants into the grooves of teeth and harden the material with a special curing light. Sealants can last up to five years, and we can reapply them if necessary. Sealants are less expensive than fillings and do not require an anesthetic.

You may benefit from dental sealants if you are prone to cavities.

Clenching and grinding the teeth, known as bruxism, can lead to premature wear and fractures and stress the jaw joints, causing pain and degeneration. A protective nightguard in Humble places a barrier between the upper and lower teeth during sleep, reducing damage and jaw or facial pain.

If you suspect bruxism, it’s essential to talk to your dentist about treatment.

Teeth grinding and clenching may be related to sleep apnea or stress and may lead to TMJ dysfunction of the temporomandibular joints. These joints connect your jaw to your skull. When TMJ occurs, your jaw may lock, you may notice a clicking sound when you chew, and you may experience chronic headaches.

How Can I Protect My Teeth While Playing Sports?

Don’t let your favorite sport put your smile at risk! A custom athletic mouthguard in Humble, TX, will absorb the force from a tackle or a rogue fly ball.

Custom athletic mouthguards come in a variety of colors, allowing patients to show their team spirit, or you can choose a clear, more discreet option.

Contact Humble Dentistry for Your Next Dental Exam

If you are looking for a dental practice in the Humble, TX area that treats patients like family, we hope you will give Humble Dentistry a call or arrange an appointment online. We look forward to helping you achieve optimum oral health with personalized dentistry.

We serve patients in Atascocita, Porter, Ramblewood, Moonshine Hill, Bordersville, Kenswick, TX, and anywhere else people are seeking excellent dentistry!