Milford dentist, Dentist in Milford, PA

Dental Hygiene Services

In addition to the meticulous cleaning, polishing, and examination of your teeth, we also take the time to help our patients develop proper oral hygiene habits at home. We will evaluate your home care techniques and make adjustments to your routine where needed. Our doctors and hygienists will also make suggestions for preventative measures including dental sealants that protect teeth from decay and nightguards to protect teeth from the ravages of bruxism (grinding and clenching) and Temporomandibular Joint Disorders (TMD).

Periodontal Disease

Periodontal (gum) disease is the primary cause of tooth loss in adults. An estimated 80% of American adults currently have some form of the disease. Periodontal disease ranges from simple gum inflammation (gingivitis) to serious disease that results in major damage to the soft tissues and bone that support the teeth. The signs and symptoms of periodontal disease are often silent until the disease is in its final stages when periodontal abscesses, tooth mobility and tooth loss can occur.

Research has been ongoing, studying the relationship between periodonal disease and increased risk of heart attack or stroke, increased risk of delivering preterm, low birht weight babies and difficulty controlling blood sugar levels in people with diabetes.

It is our professional responsibility to advise you of any disease in your mouth and to recommend appropriate treatment. Our goal is to get the disease under control so that you will be able to maintain your oral health. We want to avoid, if possible, more extensive treatment (periodontal surgery), pain, expense and tooth loss. The sooner treatment is begun, the greater the chances for long term success. It is easier, more comfortable and less costly if we aggressively treat periodontal dissease its earliest stages.

Non-Surgical Periodontal Therapy

If you are diagnosed with periodontal disease, non-surgical periodontal therapy may be recommended. This would include scaling and root planing in which the plaque and calculus (tartar) are removed from below the gum line. Local antibiotics, mouthrinses and/or other medications are usually prescribed as an adjunct to treatment. Home care recommendations are tailored to each patient's needs.

Periodontal patients are placed on a periodontal maintenance program in which more frequent cleanings are performed and the progress of the disease is evaluated closely. All of these measures can be instrumental in preventing bone loss, eliminating infection that affects the entire body and helping you to keep your natural teeth.

Oral Cancer Screenings

During a dental exam, the doctor will check your neck and oral tissues for lumps, red or white patches or recurring sore areas. Screening for early changes in the oral tissue can help detect cancer at a stage when it can be more successfully treated.

Smoking, especially combined with heavy alcohol consumption (30 drinks a week or more), is the primary risk factor for oral cancer. In fact, this combination is estimated to be the most likely trigger in about 75 percent of oral cancers diagnosed in this country. Other lifestyle and environmental factors also may increase your risk of developing oral cancer.