Melody Hill, IN Preventive Dentistry
At Reliant Family Dental, preventive care is the foundation of our practice. With good oral hygiene care and regular checkups and cleanings, you’ll be able to prevent most common dental health problems such as decay and gum disease.
Professional Dental Cleanings in Evansville, IN
Good dental health starts with a regular brushing and flossing routine at home and professional cleanings every six months.
We’ll work with you to create a routine that you feel good about and can stick to, provide advice on technique, give you support, and answer your questions. We want to be your go-to resource when you have questions about your dental health, so don’t hesitate to call our office with any concerns.
Some patients wonder why they still need regular cleanings when they’re doing such a great job following their brushing and flossing routine at home. The answer is that even the most diligent brusher and flosser can still miss spots.
Teeth are irregularly shaped and have lots of little nooks and crannies where plaque and bacteria can hide. Over time, even these small areas (usually between the teeth and below the gumline) will build up plaque that hardens into tartar. Once tartar forms, the only way to remove it is with professional instruments.
A cleaning is done in three basic parts:
- An ultrasonic instrument is used to detach larger bits of tartar from your teeth.
- The dental hygienist uses hand-held instruments to carefully remove any bits that remain.
- The teeth are polished to a smooth and shiny finish.
Regular Examinations
Examinations with Dr. Meunier are another important piece of your preventive care program.
These examinations give us a chance to discuss any ongoing concerns you might have or new issues that have come up, review your progress on any conditions we’ve been treating, and check your teeth visually and with x-rays to look for any new problems that might be developing.
When you come to see us for examinations every six months, we can typically catch developing problems when they are still very small. This provides us with easier, faster, and less invasive treatment options.
For example, it’s much easier to treat a small cavity that is just getting started than it is to treat a more advanced cavity that has struck the root and is now causing you significant pain. Despite the portrayal of dentists in movies and in TV, we don’t like seeing our patients in pain, and we will do whatever we can to help you avoid discomfort!
Preventive Dental Procedures
Along with regular cleanings and examinations, we can take additional steps to strengthen and protect your teeth. If your family isn’t getting enough fluoride, we can provide fluoride rinses and supplementation to make your teeth more resistant to cavities. For our patients who appear to be more prone to cavities, we can discuss sealants to protect the crevices of the molars from bacteria and decay.
Call to Schedule Your Next Dental Exam in 47712
If it’s time for a cleaning and examination – even if it’s been a while – call our office today to schedule your preventive care appointment with Melody Hill dentist Dr. Chris Meunier.
Frequently Asked Questions
Chronic Gum Disease
Periodontal disease, or gum disease, is a chronic disease that can severely damage the gum and bone tissue that supports and protects your teeth.
In its earliest stages, gum disease can be easily treated and often reversed by merely improving oral hygiene habits or adding a mild antimicrobial product to your routine. Our hygienists are skilled at determining the treatment that will be right for you.
Once periodontal disease advances past these stages, however, it is no longer reversible, although proper treatment can stop it in its tracks and prevent further damage. It will require constant care and diligence to keep this type of infection at bay because once you have periodontal disease, you will be more prone to flare-ups for the rest of your life. We can help you stay healthy!
Periodontal Disease Linked to Other Health Conditions
Periodontal disease has been linked to many other systemic (and dangerous) health conditions including diabetes, heart disease, strokes, and some types of cancer. At Reliant Family Dental, we take periodontal disease very seriously, and every examination at our office includes a gum disease screening. Dr. Meunier and our skilled hygienists are also experienced at treating gum disease and will work with you to create an effective treatment plan if you are diagnosed with this condition. So if you think you've got periodontal disease, please don't hesitate to contact our Evansville, IN dental office.
We Customize Service for Your Needs
Part of the care we provide at Reliant Family Dental includes customizing your service based on your needs. Our treatment is never one-size-fits-all because each patient needs something different.
We recommend that you and your family visit our office at least twice each year for routine dental examinations. These examinations allow us to touch base with you about your care, answer any questions or concerns you might have, and perform a thorough exam to make sure your teeth are healthy. With regular examinations, we can catch and treat any developing problems quickly, before they have an opportunity to take hold and cause significant damage.
Every Case Is Unique
For some patients, visits twice a year may not be enough. This is especially true for patients who suffer from periodontal (gum) disease and are in treatment to improve their health. It may also be true for patients who are experiencing certain medical conditions – such as pregnancy. Hormonal changes can cause changes in your oral health, as well. If you are pregnant, we should check the health of your gums for a common condition known as pregnancy gingivitis. With proper care, we can protect the health of you and your baby. Gum disease during pregnancy can lead to low birth weight and other complications.
Our elderly patients sometimes require more frequent care. Loss of dexterity due to arthritis and oral conditions, such as dry mouth, can put their health at risk when it is most essential!
Contact Us in Evansville, IN
For more information on dental examinations, please don't hesitate to contact our Evansville, IN dental office. We look forward to helping you and your family maintain your oral health.
Absolutely.
Dental x-rays use a very low dose of radiation and provide us with valuable information about what is going on below your gums and underneath the enamel of your teeth. Dental x-rays have always been low in radiation compared to other medical x-rays. We have reduced that low radiation even more by bringing digital dental x-rays to our Evansville, IN dental office.
Digital X-Rays Keep You Safe
At Reliant Family Dental, digital dental x-rays cut your radiation exposure by up to 90 percent and create high-resolution digital images for improved diagnostics. These images make it easy for us to zoom in and highlight specific areas, which we can then show you so you can better understand our recommended treatment plan.
We store your digital dental x-rays in your electronic chart where they are protected by encryption for your privacy. We can quickly send your digital x-rays to other offices should a referral become necessary. We can also easily access them for side-by-side comparisons over time and monitor any dental conditions you have.
Contact Us
Dental x-rays are a valuable investment in your oral health and are safe for you and your family. We only take the necessary x-rays to identify any potential issues. If you have concerns about your dental x-rays, we’re here to discuss them with you.
For x-ray services and comprehensive care, please contact our best dentist in Evansville at our Evansville, IN dental office today.
Meet Our Doctor:
Dr. Chris Meunier, DDS
Dr. Meunier is a native of Perry County, Indiana. He attended Indiana University Southeast and is a graduate of Indiana University School of Dentistry. After graduating from dental school, Dr. Meunier was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy, serving as a dentist at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, SC. During his four years of service, he received numerous awards for leadership and clinical excellence.
Upon the completion of his military service, ...
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