Personalized Risk Assessment
If you want to keep a healthy mouth for the rest of your life, you need to do the following: keep you teeth free of cavities, keep your gums healthy, and protect your teeth from grinding away. Has a friend ever told you, “I never had a cavity until I had my first child and now all my have decay” or “both of my parents lost their teeth early, so I know I’m going to as well”? The truth is, tooth decay and gum disease is PREVENTABLE. There are many contributors to tooth decay, wear and periodontal disease. Some of us are extremely susceptible to disease, whereas others are just more resilient no matter what they do to their bodies. Either way, wouldn’t it be nice to know what your risks are and what you can do stay healthy or regain health?
Caries Management By Risk Assessment (CAMBRA)
How likely are you to get holes in your teeth? At your new patient exam, we will ask you a series of questions to determine your risks for tooth decay. We will help you understand your risk factors and create a plan to reduce your risks if you desire.
Periodontal Risk Assessment
Your gums and bone are called your “periodontium” and they are the foundation of your mouth. If your build a house on an unstable foundation, what happens? If you have unmanaged gum disease, a.k.a. periodontal disease, your teeth will eventually lose the bone that supports them and can progress to tooth loss.
Just because your parents lost their teeth at an early age does not mean that you are destined for the same fate. Periodontal disease can and should be treated not only for the survival of your teeth but also for your whole body’s wellness. Gum disease is now a known contributory cause of heart disease and needs to be respected for the damage it can cause. If necessary, we can determine specifically which type of bacteria are causing your disease and work to remove those bugs while maintaining the healthy flora.
Tooth Wear And Erosion
Many of us grind our teeth or clench our jaws either during the day or at night when we are sleeping. Others have an acidic issue that causes erosion of the teeth. The more the teeth wear away, the less functional they are. We can evaluate your teeth for signs of wear and erosion and, if necessary, recommend action to prevent further loss of tooth structure.
