Preventive Dentistry – Eugene, OR

Teeth Cleanings

Scheduling biannual teeth cleanings, along with an annual dental exam, is the second most basic step in your dental health, following daily brushing.

Your dental cleaning with our professional hygienist is important to the health of your periodontal tissue, also known as your gum tissue. The gums surround and support your teeth; you want them to remain free of bacteria and infection. During your appointment, the hygienist will measure and track the separation of tissue from the teeth, spot any buildup of tartar or calculus, and then remove any harmful bacteria that could be irritating the tissue.

The removal of tartar is done with the use of an ultrasonic scaler and then checked with a hand scaler to ensure that all debris has been cleared. Most adult cleanings will require scaling and then the smoothing of the roots through root planing.

Your dental exam is completed by our dentist. During this exam, we will look for both visible and non-visible indications of decay and infection. Using a probe and dental x-rays, we will track and look for trouble areas. If anything is found, we will then discuss treatment options specific to your needs. Even if you brush and floss your teeth every day, there are some areas of your mouth that are harder to maintain than others. If these areas are not properly cleaned, it can lead to an accumulation of plaque and bacteria, which can then lead to cavities and gum disease.

Dental Exams

Dental exams are recommended at least twice a year by the ADA. Routine dental exams are crucial for the detection of different oral health issues. When many issues first begin, they often do not exhibit any symptoms. Because of this, you might think that your mouth is perfectly healthy. By the time you notice symptoms, the issue has grown worse. With routine dental exams, we can detect the earliest warning signs of many different dental issues. This allows us to provide you with the treatment you need to restore your oral health and prevent more serious complications from developing. Typically, the earlier the dental treatment is provided, the less invasive, and the less expensive, it is.

During your dental exams, we look over all of the structures in your mouth. We check your teeth for physical damage, decay, cavities, and wear. We look over your gums for symptoms of gum disease such as redness, swelling, and gum recession. We also look over the other soft tissues in your mouth, checking for any unusual growths, lesions, or other abnormalities.

In addition to a visual exam of your mouth, X-rays are also an important part of your dental checkups. These images allow us to look at the hidden areas of your mouth. We can examine the spaces between your teeth, the roots of your teeth, and your jawbone. This allows us to get a full picture of your oral health so that we can provide you with the best possible care.

In conjunction with good oral hygiene practices at home, professional teeth cleanings and dental exams are crucial for preventing serious oral health complications from developing.

Nightguards for Bruxism

Bruxism is a common dental condition; it often manifests at night while you are sleeping. Bruxism is the unconscious or subconscious clenching and grinding of your teeth. This is generally a short-lived condition but can be highly destructive. Patients with bruxism can experience fractured, cracked, broken, or flattened teeth, which can be highly painful and expensive to restore. Additionally, patients can create tiny hairline fractures that they are unaware of, but bacteria can work its way in and infect the inner pulp portion of the tooth.

During your dental visit, we will try to spot the signs of bruxism, but if you are aware of the symptoms, it is to your benefit to prevent damage. The symptoms of bruxism include waking with a tightness feeling in your jaw and a release of tension. Some patients wake with headaches, jaw aches or toothaches.

Fluoride Treatments

Regardless of your oral hygiene practices, the chances are good that you will experience tooth decay at some point in your life. However, there are steps you can take to protect your teeth and reduce these occurrences. At College Hill Dental, we offer professional fluoride treatment to prevent tooth decay and help you maintain excellent oral health.

Oral Cancer Screenings

In addition to tooth decay and infections, Dr. Paskalev will also screen for oral cancer during your routine dental checkups. Using an advanced scanning device as well as his highly trained eyes, he’ll quickly yet thoroughly look over your entire mouth and throat for signs of the disease, such as slow-healing sores and unexplained lumps. Since oral cancer has a higher mortality rate than many other types of cancer, early detection is key. If Dr. Paskalev finds anything concerning, he’ll make sure you see an expert right away for a proper diagnosis.