Cleanings, Exams, and Oral Cancer Screening
 Professional cleanings performed by a licensed dentist or hygienist are just as important to your dental health as daily brushing and flossing. Using specialized tools and training, your hygienist at Alan J. Binstock DDS Family and Cosmetic Dentistry will remove:
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Plaque build-up from the surfaces of teeth. Bacteria in the mouth form plaque, which collects on teeth and causes decay, gum disease and gingivitis
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Tartar from teeth surfaces. Tartar, or calculus, is plaque that has become hardened on the teeth; its removal requires scaling
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Surface stains from teeth through polishing |
Some patients will require a deep cleaning due to gum disease and past periodontal treatments. Alan J. Binstock, DDS will review your past dental history and identify any issues you may need treatment for.
Examinations
Regular examinations, by Alan J. Binstock, DDS, help detect and prevent health issues before they become serious. Consistent dental check-ups help catch problems when they are small and easier to treat. Left unattended, small treatable problems become worse and may require more extensive, expensive procedures to repair. Dental examinations generally include the following:
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Gum disease screening
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Oral cancer screening
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Visual tooth decay evaluation
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Gum pocket measurement and tracking
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X-ray examination to detect: tooth decay, cysts, tumors, problems below the gums and other hidden issues |
Regular examinations by Alan J. Binstock, DDS are very important for your health. Remember, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." –Benjamin Franklin
X-rays (Radiographs)
Dental x-rays are a primary tool for early identification of dental problems. Your Severna Park dentist can detect issues with x-rays before they become problems, saving you money in the long run by preventing the need for more expensive procedures or surgeries. X-rays are primarily used to detect internal tooth decay, cysts (fluid filled sacks at the base of your teeth), tumors, impacted teeth, and teeth that are still erupting.
Oral Cancer Screening
Your mouth is part of the oral cavity, which also includes your lips, cheek lining, gums, front part of your tongue, floor of the mouth and the hard palate (roof of your mouth). The pharynx starts at the soft part of the roof of your mouth and continues back into your throat. It includes the back section of your tongue as well as the base where the tongue attaches to the floor of your mouth.
During your dental visit, your dentist can talk to you about your health history and examine these areas for signs of mouth and/or throat cancer. Regular visits to your dentist can improve the chances that any suspicious changes in your oral health will be caught early, at a time when cancer can be treated more easily.
Symptoms of Mouth or Throat Cancer
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Sores that bleed easily or do not heal
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Thick or hard spot or lump
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Roughened or crusted area
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Numbness, pain or tenderness
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A change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite down |
Make sure to tell your dentist about any problems you have when chewing, swallowing, speaking or moving your tongue or jaw.
At Alan J. Binstock DDS Family and Cosmetic Dentistry in Severna Park, our dentists will include a thorough oral cancer screening, including a VizLite scan, during your comprehensive exam. |
