Visit a dental practice in St Petersburg to reduce your risk of getting gum disease

While most people think professional teeth cleanings are only to prevent cavities, they also serve another important purpose in preventing gum disease. Adult tooth loss is incredibly common, and gum disease is a leading cause of it. At Bay Dental Associates: Aaron Moneyhan DMD, PA, we know the cause of gum disease is typically due to plaque building up on the teeth and becoming trapped under the gums. When you practice good oral hygiene, which includes brushing twice a day and flossing daily, you reduce your risk of getting gum disease. However, no matter how diligent you are, it is possible for plaque to become trapped in hard-to-reach spaces. This is why a professional dental cleaning is so important. We can prevent gum disease by performing a deep cleaning to remove all of the plaque and tartar from your mouth. If we identify early signs of gum disease, we can treat it right away before it causes irritation or gum recession. If you live in the St Petersburg area, we invite you to call 727-823-2007 to schedule an appointment for your dental cleaning today.

Visit a dental practice in St Petersburg if your tooth becomes damaged

While teeth are made of strong dentin and enamel, it is entirely possible for them to sustain damage. If a patient is in an accident, plays sports, or plays outside with others, there is a possibility of cracking or chipping a tooth. When this happens, it is important to visit our dental office so we can complete a restoration in short order. Leaving your damaged tooth exposed will create an opportunity for bacteria to enter the tooth and start an infection. We can treat the tooth quickly so it can be restored to full functionality and appearance. Selecting the right dentist office is critical, because you want a restoration that will look natural and blend in so seamlessly that you cannot tell the difference between your natural teeth and one that has been restored.

Visit a dental practice in St Petersburg to be checked for oral cancer

Have you been checked for oral cancer lately? If not, you should be. Oral cancer impacts both men and women. The Oral Cancer Foundation finds that oral cancer will cause one person per hour. Men over the age of 50 are at the greatest risk for developing cancer. Also, those who smoke, chew tobacco, drink alcohol excessively, overexpose themselves to the sun, or have the HPV virus are all at an increased risk for developing this disease. At Bay Dental Associates: Aaron Moneyhan DMD, PA, we recommend you be checked for oral cancer on a regular basis, because, like all forms of cancer, the sooner it is detected and treated, the better chance you have of successfully irradiating it. We also recommend that you self-examine at home by running your tongue along your gums and cheeks on a daily basis. Look for any bumps, lumps, or rough spots that were not there before. If they do not go away after a couple of days. Call 727-823-2007 to schedule an examination with our dental office. At Bay Dental Associates: Aaron Moneyhan DMD, PA, we do not treat cancer, but we can help to determine if anything looks out of the ordinary and whether or not you need further testing.