Your First Visit
Your mouth is an important feature of your body that is responsible for so many important functions. With your mouth, you can eat, speak, and express so many different types of emotions. For your mouth to perform these, and other, functions, it needs proper care. While brushing and flossing daily at home are integral, so, too, is professional care. At Encino Cosmetic Dentistry, we can provide you with the cleanings and exams you need to keep your mouth happy and healthy. Here is what you can expect at your first appointment.
Reviewing Your Medical HistoryAn important part of your first visit is going over your medical history. Your medical history is integral to how we provide you with dental care. Some medical conditions can increase your risk of developing oral health issues. They can also affect the types of treatments we can provide. At the same time, certain dental issues can exacerbate, or increase your risk of developing certain medical conditions. With your medical history, we can customize your treatment just for you, helping you to maintain optimal oral health.
Cleaning Your TeethDuring your visit, we perform cleaning of your teeth. This cleaning is essential for eliminating buildup, which aids in preventing the development of serious oral health issues such as cavities and gum disease. We begin by scraping the surfaces of your teeth. We work carefully to remove all plaque, tartar, bacteria, and other debris from all surfaces of your teeth. We are even able to reach the areas of your mouth that you might have a hard time cleaning thoroughly at home. After scraping your teeth, we polish them smooth and floss between your teeth. If necessary, we can also provide a fluoride treatment.
Examining Your MouthAfter cleaning your teeth, we move on to examining your mouth. A comprehensive exam is essential for assessing the current condition of your mouth. We can detect any issues present. We can even detect signs of issues in their earliest stages. This allows us to provide you with the treatment you need to restore your oral health, preventing more serious complications from developing later on.
We check your teeth over for signs of decay, cavities, cracks, and chips. We look over your gums for signs of redness, swelling, recession, and periodontal pockets. We also perform an oral cancer screening. During this screening, we examine your intraoral tissues for growths, lesions, and other abnormalities.
Another integral part of your comprehensive exam is dental x-rays. These images allow us to see the impossible-to-view areas of your mouth, including between your teeth and below the gum tissue. We can spot cavities, root damage, abscesses, bone loss, impacted teeth, and more. Both the visual inspection of your mouth as well as your x-rays give us a complete picture of your oral health so that we can provide you with the best possible care.
Discussing Your Oral Health and HabitsAt the end of your appointment, we go over any issues that we find in your mouth and discuss your treatment options. Your brushing and flossing habits are discussed. If necessary, we can provide tips on how to improve your oral hygiene routine. We discuss your lifestyle habits, including tobacco use and alcohol consumption. We also make sure to take the time to answer your questions and address any concerns that you might have.
Taking care of your mouth involves professional care in addition to daily care at home. For more information on what to expect at your first visit, or if you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to call Encino Cosmetic Dentistry at (818) 783-0408 today.
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