Charlotte dentist, Dr. Arthur Schramm, says routine exams are vital to oral and overall health. Learn about early detection of decay, gum disease and oral cancer.
The best dental care is preventive. Dr. Arthur Schramm, Charlotte dentist, wants to see his patients twice a year for exams and professional cleanings. It’s truly the best way to keep teeth, gums and overall health at their very best.
An ounce of prevention
Kids through senior adults brush twice daily and floss once a day to maintain clean enamel, gums and other soft tissues of the mouth. Along with a healthy diet, limiting sugar-laden foods, diligent oral hygiene reduces the build-up of biofilm--sticky plaque and hard tartar on and between teeth and at the gum line. Biofilm harbors oral bacteria which eat away at tooth surfaces and infect gums, causing recession and bone and tooth loss.
So, Dr. Schramm performs thorough semi-annual
dental check-ups in his Charlotte office to avoid dental problems and expensive restorative procedures. Along with his exam, a skilled hygienist removes plaque and tartar, polishing teeth to their most attractive and healthiest best.
Dental exams check many factors
Charlotte dentist, Dr. Arthur Schramm, inspects your teeth and gums for:
- cavities
- gum disease
- proper bite and tooth alignment
- jaw function
- conditions of restorations such as fillings, crowns, dental implants and fixed bridgework
- oral cancer
He then formulates a treatment plan which includes patient input on what he or she is concerned about or would like to see changed.
Gum disease leads to tooth loss and other problems
Periodontal probing is a critical part of a dental exam. Dr. Schramm gently measures the depth of spaces between gums and teeth. These “pockets” should be no deeper than 0.3 mm. Bigger pockets indicate progressing periodontitis, a leading cause of tooth loss among American adults.
He also checks the condition of gum tissue for bleeding, swelling, tenderness, pus and other signs of infection. If Dr. Schramm finds periodontitis, he will recommend in-office tooth scaling and root planing to remove infectious material from below the gum line and to smooth roots so gums can re-attach.
It’s important to maintain good gum health because periodontitis impacts overall health. Gum disease is linked to:
- heart disease
- stroke
- dementia
- rheumatoid arthritis
- respiratory infections
- pregnancy complications
Oral cancer is a killer
The
Oral Cancer Foundation states that more than 45,000 adult Americans are diagnosed with oral cancer each year. Early detection increases the 5-year and long-term survival rates substantially.
Dr. Schramm performs oral cancer screenings on all his patients as part of their 6-month check-ups. Screenings are quick, painless and most importantly, effective. Cancer is often found on the lips, tongue, inside of the cheeks and other areas of the mouth.
Smokers are particularly susceptible to oral cancer, but other individuals suffer from it as well. Other risk factors include:
- being male
- increased age (over 40)
- exposure to the human papilloma virus
- sun exposure
Have you had your check-up?
If not, why not
contact the team at Schramm Dentistry and set an appointment? Prevention is so important. Call today.
By Schramm Dentistry
November 2, 2015