Our most important service is the first one you’ll experience as a new patient: a comprehensive exam of your teeth and gums. This gives us a detailed record of the condition of your teeth when you first came to see us. We’ll use those records to see the progress we’ve made with any treatments we’ve performed, or with any problems we may see in future checkups.
The early signs of oral cancer can be easy to miss, so sometimes it’s not detected until it has progressed to an advanced stage. That’s why every exam at the Smile Atelier includes a visual and manual oral cancer screening to help catch oral and mouth cancers as soon as possible. During the screening, Dr. Ramdath may spot early signs of oral cancer that you might not be aware of because they don’t cause you any pain or discomfort. The signs might be a very small lesion or an unexplained swelling.
We use digital x-rays, or radiographs, to get detailed images of your teeth and gums. Digital x-rays use less radiation than traditional radiographs, so they’re safer for you and for your children.
Digital x-rays are highly detailed, and we can zoom the images in or out to help us spot any decay or problems with your teeth and gums. These x-rays are also safe to use with children, and will show us any problems with teeth coming in, or their position under the gums, as well as look for signs of decay.
Our dental hygienist thoroughly cleans your teeth to remove tartar and plaque. Your own daily flossing and brushing will remove most tartar and plaque, but the hygienist at our dental office gives you an even deeper cleaning, to get at those areas, such as below the gum line, that even the most diligent home care can’t reach.
Tartar and plaque are a breeding ground for bacteria that can cause your gums to become inflamed. This can lead to periodontal disease (gum disease). At your dental hygiene visit, we use special tools, such as our Piezo ultrasonic scaler, to remove hidden bacteria, tartar, or plaque. These tools will also help remove coffee and tea stains, or the yellowing of your teeth.
Gingivitis and periodontal disease occur when bacteria from plaque grows on the gingival (gum) tissue, either above or below the gum line. The bacteria causes serious inflammation and irritation, which will make the pockets between your gums and teeth deeper and more inflamed as they harbor more bacteria. This can lead to the gums and bone tissue deteriorating until you begin to lose teeth.
The other problem with all that bacteria and infection accumulating in your gums is that it will get into your bloodstream. When that happens, you’re at more risk for other serious conditions. Gum disease is linked to a higher risk of heart attacks, strokes, and premature births. If you have diabetes, you have double the risk since gum disease makes it harder to control your blood sugars, and high blood sugar levels can lead to inflammation and bacteria in your gums.
Some of the signs that you or your family should have fluoride treatments could be:
- Drinking sugary drinks or eating foods that are high in carbohydrates
- Pits or cracks on the top of your teeth
- Irregular brushing and flossing
- Dry mouth caused by a medical problem. Dry mouth or low saliva flow can also be a side effect of many medications
At the Smile Atelier, we give adults and children topical fluoride treatments, if necessary, to help strengthen their teeth so they can resist decay. We can do this during your regular checkups and hygiene.
A professionally custom-fit mouthguard can have many different uses. It can help prevent bruxism, or teeth grinding at night. A dental mouthguard can also help treat sleep apnea and snoring. And special mouthguards for sports can help protect you or your child’s teeth.
To help treat these conditions, or to protect your teeth while playing sports, Dr. Ramdath can fit you with custom mouthguards, designed specifically for your individual need.
If a tooth has been completely knocked out, pick it up by the crown and rinse it under warm water. Do not touch the root. If you can, put the tooth back into its socket. If you can’t, keep it tucked in your cheek pouch. Otherwise, put the tooth into a cup and keep it from drying out by covering it with milk, saliva, or water.
If you lose a crown, keep it in a cool, safe place. Dr. Ramdath may be able to reinsert it. If you can’t get to see us immediately, clean the crown and use dental cement (not glue) to attach it to your tooth. You can get dental cement at a drug store.
If you’ve chipped a tooth, rinse your mouth with warm water and follow regular first aid by applying pressure if there’s bleeding and using a cold compress if your face is swollen or painful.
We love our technology, because it helps our patients make the most of their dental appointments. Even if you love us, we think you still want your visit to be fast and as pain-free as possible! We use tools like intraoral cameras, digital x-rays, and the Piezo ultrasonic scaler for the most gentle dentistry we can offer. We also offer dental anesthesia, as well as “sleep dentistry”, using mild sedation for longer periods. Digital x-rays, or radiographs, give us the best images of your teeth and gums to help us spot any decay or signs of gum disease. They use less radiation than traditional x-rays, so they’re safer for you and for your children. In no time at all, the images come up on the monitor at your dental chair. We can zoom in and out as necessary to get the view we need.
And because your comfort is always top-of-mind, we offer several methods of dental anesthesia and sedation dentistry. Conscious sedation is especially appreciated when our patients have longer or more complicated treatments.