There's nothing to fear with a dental exam. Your teeth will be visually examined for signs of plaque, tartar and tooth decay. Your gums will also be examined for puffiness or discoloration, which are signs of gum disease. A full set of dental X-rays may also be taken during your dental exam, to enable your dentist to see below the surfaces of your teeth. Dental exams typically end with a dental cleaning, to remove surface stains and buildup.

No matter how often you brush and floss, plaque and tartar deposits can still build up on your teeth. A professional teeth cleaning is the single most effective way to remove these deposits and prevent them from causing more serious problems in the future. While a traditional teeth cleaning involves manually scraping away these deposits with special dental tools, advances in dental technologies now give you more options for teeth cleanings.

A laser teeth cleaning, also known as an ultrasonic cleaning, is a popular alternative to traditional teeth cleanings. With a laser teeth cleaning, an ultrasonic scaler (rather than a manual probe) is used to remove deposits, kill harmful microbes and eliminate bacteria around the teeth and gums through high-frequency sound waves. Many patients find laser teeth cleanings more comfortable than traditional teeth cleanings because they are quicker, quieter and pain-free.

A deep cleaning may be recommended if excessive plaque and tartar deposits have developed below the gum line. Deep cleanings, also known as scaling and root planing, involve a two-part process: first, the stubborn deposits are removed, and then the root surfaces are smoothened. A deep cleaning helps prevent periodontal disease and restores gum tissues to a healthy state.

Health Watch: Perio and Brushing

Early detection of oral cancer can save your life -- perform oral cancer exams at home and get an oral cancer screening at your regular dental visits.

Check It Out!

If you're concerned that you may be at risk for oral cancer, it might be difficult to talk about it with friends. Reading about oral cancer can help shed some light, but don't use the information to try to self-diagnose. Get an oral cancer examination from us -- it's easy and pain-free.

Oral Cancer Facts

There are two types of oral cancer: oral cavity cancer, which starts in the mouth; and oropharyngeal cancer, which develops in the part of the throat behind the mouth.

Certain behaviors such as smoking, chewing tobacco, drinking alcohol excessively and sunbathing can put you at an increased risk for developing oral cancer.

In addition, men are at twice the risk of developing oral cancer, as are people older than 35. Actually, more than half of oral cancer patients are 68 and older.

However, it's important to keep in mind that more than 25 percent of oral cancers occur in people who do not smoke and have no other risk factors.

The good news is the earlier you get an oral cancer exam, the easier it is to treat. In fact, when oral cancer is diagnosed and treated in the early stages, the chances of successful recovery rises dramatically.

What to Expect from an Oral Cancer Exam

It's easy to schedule an oral cancer exam -- we can perform an oral cancer exam as a standalone appointment or during one of your regular dental visits.

We will examine:

• The roof and floor of your mouth, as well as the back of your throat
• The base of your tongue and its underside to check for swelling or abnormal color or texture
• The insides of your lips and cheeks to check for signs such as red or white patches
• The area under your jaw and the side of your neck to check for lumps that may suggest cancer

Any areas that look suspicious will require a biopsy, which involves the removal of tissue for microscopic examination. A biopsy is the only definitive way to determine whether or not you have oral cancer.

Oral cancer doesn't have to be an unwelcome surprise -- you can take an active role in detecting oral cancer. If you think you might be at risk, give yourself an oral cancer self-exam at least once a month.

Look for warning signs inside the mouth such as:

• White or red spots, patches or lesions
• Lumps, rough spots or crusted areas
• A change in the way your teeth fit together

And watch out for other symptoms including:

• A change in your voice
• A lump in your neck
• Drastic weight loss

Nobody likes fillings, but we make it easy and effortless. If and when a filling is required, Dr. Jorgensen and his team can provide aesthetic tooth colored/bonded restorations. Closely matched to the color and shape of your surrounding teeth, this procedure protects your teeth while providing a beautiful smile.

If you have received fillings over the years, Dr. Jorgensen will closely monitor them for any signs of failure. Many people don’t realize that after years of use, fillings can start to break down at the edges, which can lead to new decay or weakening of the surrounding tooth structure.

Disadvantages of Silver Fillings

Advantages of Tooth-Colored Restorations

Ask Your Dentist: White Fillings

Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease or periodontitis, is a condition that results from an infection in the bone and gums around teeth. Bacteria found in plaque irritate gum tissue, resulting in redness, swelling and bleeding around teeth. If left untreated, gum tissue separates from teeth, causing “pockets” (or spaces) to develop along the gumline. This deterioration eventually leads to tooth loss.

Periodontal disease progressively destroys the gums and jaw bone, which support your natural teeth. Periodontal disease and decay are both caused by bacterial plaque, the yellowish film that sticks to your teeth along your gum line.

Bacteria found in plaque irritate your gums, which may cause them to turn red, swell and bleed easily. Prolonged irritation causes the gums to separate from the teeth, leading to the formation of pockets (also known as “spaces”). As periodontal disease progresses, gum tissue and bone that hold teeth in place deteriorate, which leads to tooth loss if left untreated.

It is necessary to know that plaque hardens into a rough, porous substance known as calculus (or tartar) if not consistently removed each day. Periodontal disease is best prevented by thorough daily brushing and flossing of your teeth, along with regular routine visits to see the hygienist.

Health Watch: Perio and Brushing

Dr. Jorgensen may determine with you that one of your teeth needs to be extracted, which can occur for a variety of reasons. Some teeth are extracted because they are poorly positioned in the mouth (such as impacted teeth), in preparation for orthodontic treatment, or have broken and cannot be repaired. A tooth may also be severely decayed or have advanced periodontal disease.

The removal of a single tooth can lead to problems involving your other teeth shifting, your ability to chew, and problems with your jaw joint. To avoid these complications Dr. Jorgensen will discuss alternatives to extractions as well as replacement of the extracted tooth.

During a tooth extraction, Dr. Jorgensen will need to numb your tooth, jawbone and surrounding gums with a local anesthetic. During the extraction process, there will be a sensation of pressure but no pain, as the anesthetic has numbed the nerves. Detailed post-operative instructions will be given after the appointment along with any necessary pain prescriptions.

Scaling and root planing is a procedure that treats the progression of periodontal disease. This deeper cleaning reaches in between gums and teeth down to the roots.  allows Dr. Jorgensen and a registered dental hygienist to provide a deeper cleaning between the compromised teeth and gums, preventing progression of the disease.

Ever wish you could sail through dental visits without anxiety or fear? Would you rather endure an agonizing toothache than go to the dentist? Answering “yes” to these questions could mean that you're a perfect candidate for sedation dentistry. With sedation dentistry, you can forget about fear and focus on pure relaxation.

There are different levels of sedation to accommodate every patient. Minimal sedation involves inhaling nitrous oxide (“laughing gas”). Nitrous oxide helps you relax and wears off quickly. Electronic anesthesia is an alternative form of mild sedation that uses electronic impulses to help you relax. Conscious sedation is a moderate level of sedation that causes drowsiness and is taken in pill form. IV deep sedation is typically administered intravenously and works very quickly. With IV deep sedation, most patients fall asleep but can be easily awakened. Total sedation could be the only solution for people with an intense fear or phobia of dentistry. With total sedation, or general anesthesia, you are completely unconscious and cannot be easily awakened.

According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), children should visit the dentist by their first birthday. It is important that your child's newly-erupted teeth (erupting at 6-12 months of age) receive proper dental care and benefit from proper oral hygiene habits right from the beginning.

Your child should visit the dentist every 6 months for regular dental cleanings and checkups. We recommend fluoride treatments twice a year along with cleanings to keep teeth their strongest. Tooth sealants are also recommended because they "seal" the deep grooves in your child's teeth, preventing decay from forming in these hard-to-reach areas. Sealants last for several years, but will be monitored at your regular checkups.