Dental Exams & Teeth Cleaning in Middletown, NY

We are accepting new patients regardless of whether they last saw a dentist five months age or five years ago. There is no need to be self-conscious about the condition of your teeth. Our staff is eager to help you get your dental health back on track in a comfortable, relaxed environment.

During your first dental exam at Dolson Avenue Dental, the dentist will examine you for signs of:

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

Feel free to ask questions during the exam. Many of our patients have been coming to us for years and we’ve developed a relationship based on trust. We hope to develop a trusting relationship with you as well.

Teeth Cleaning in Middletown

The top dental service requested by people calling our dental office is for a professional teeth cleaning.

Professional cleanings aren’t simply for vanity. They serve a vital role in dental health because they remove cavity-cavity-causing plaque and calculus. Plaque is a sticky, colorless film of bacteria that builds on your teeth every time you eat or drink. The bacteria in plaque uses turns the sugar in foods and beverages into acids that erode the tooth enamel and forms cavities, which are literally holes in the tooth.

Eliminating sugars on the teeth before they turn into acids is the reason dentists emphasize the importance of brushing and flossing after every meal. Unfortunately, a diligent hygiene regimen won’t remove all of the plaque. In less than a day, plaque missed by your toothbrush can harden into a substance called calculus, also known as tartar. Only a professional cleaning can reach those hard-to-reach places and remove all of the plaque and calculus on your teeth.

The type of teeth cleaning you need depends on the health of your teeth and gums. Plaque and calculus doesn’t only build up on the enamel you see when you look in the mirror. It can also allow bacteria to permeate your teeth beneath the gum line. This is how periodontal, or gum, disease develops.

In its earliest stage, gum disease is known as gingivitis. The first indication of the presence of gingivitis is red and swollen gums or gums that bleed when you brush and floss. At this stage, any damage caused by the infection can be treated and reversed by the hygienist performing your teeth cleaning.

More advanced forms of gum disease can caused damage that is irreversible. The dentist can treat the infection and halt the progress of gum disease. However, the damage cannot be corrected. In more serious cases, the dentist may refer you to a periodontist or gum specialist for treatment.

Here are some types of dental treatment for hygiene:

• Prophylaxis: This is for people who only need their teeth cleaned above the gum line to remove plaque, calculus, and surface stains. 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.
• Gingivitis Therapy: Gingivitis, the first stage of gum disease and is the only stage that is reversible, is treated by the hygienist or dentist by removing the plaque and calculus on the teeth above and below the gum line.
• Scaling & Root Planing: People who need a more aggressive treatment for gum disease may require scaling & root planing. SRP is a non-surgical treatment to remove harmful bacteria and smooth out the exposed root surfaces where bacteria can hide. This process may involve the application of an antibiotic and may takes several treatments. After the treatments are completed, your dentist may recommend more frequent professional cleanings to manage the gum disease.

Cleaning Teeth Below the Gum Line

If you’ve been diagnosed with periodontal disease, you aren’t alone. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, half of Americans over the age of 30 have some form of gum disease and 70 percent of Americans over the age of 65 have the disease.

Periodontal disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. The same bacteria that turns sugar into damaging acids also attacks the ligaments, tissue and bone that hold the teeth in place beneath the gums. This causes the gum tissue to pull away from the teeth and creates pockets of bacteria beneath the gum that can cause teeth to loosen and fall out.

Some people have no symptoms with gum disease. Others experience bleeding gums after brushing and flossing. But as the infection progresses, many people notice their gum line receding, their teeth shifts out of position and pervasive bad breath.

Once gum disease has progressed beyond gingivitis, the disease can be treated and managed but the damage cannot be repaired.

Bad Breath Management

Millions of people, more than 25 percent of Americans, suffer from halitosis, the medical term for bad breath.

While bad breath can be related to the foods you eat, it’s most commonly caused by the presence of germs in your mouth. As bacteria attacks your teeth and causes decay, the damaged cells can release an odor. Professional teeth cleanings and gum treatments will keep bad breath under control along with proper at-home dental care, including brushing your teeth after meals, flossing, and rinsing with a mouthwash.

Oral Cancer Screening

As part of your first visit to our office, we 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 it often has no symptoms in its early stages. By the time symptoms are visible, the disease is frequently in the later stages of advancement 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.

A screening for oral cancer could save your life. We recommend everyone over the age of 18 gets screened.

Teeth Grinding & Night Guards

Teeth grinding, 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
• Wake with a sore jaw
• 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, also called a night guard, to protect your teeth while you sleep.

Call Today to Schedule a Dental Exam

Call Dolson Avenue Dental today at (845) 512-1246 to schedule a comprehensive exam. We offer convenient days and times and look forward to helping you restore your smile.