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Preventive & Periodontal Care
Exams & cleanings that protect your smile.
A thorough new patient exam, regular cleanings, and periodontal care for healthy teeth and gums at every age.
Your new patient exam
Your first visit gives us a complete picture of your oral health. Dr. Agrawal reviews your medical and dental history, examines your teeth and gums, takes the digital X-rays needed for an accurate diagnosis, and talks with you about your goals. You leave with a clear explanation of what we found and the treatment options available to you.
You can complete your new patient forms at home before your visit, which shortens your appointment and makes sure nothing important is missed.
Regular cleanings
Plaque is soft and sticky, and careful brushing removes most of it. Over time, though, plaque hardens into tartar, which a toothbrush and floss cannot remove. Tartar builds up on the tooth surface and below the gumline, and left in place it leads to gum disease and more serious problems later.
A professional cleaning, also called a prophylaxis, removes that buildup before it causes damage. Regular cleanings are one of the most effective things you can do to keep your teeth for life.
Periodontal cleanings, scaling and root planing
Most tooth loss is caused not by decay but by gum disease, and it often goes unnoticed until a tooth becomes loose. Warning signs include bleeding when you brush or floss, gums that are red or tender, and teeth that feel loose or appear to be shifting.
When gum disease is present, a regular cleaning is not enough. Scaling and root planing is a deep cleaning that removes tartar and bacteria from below the gumline and smooths the root surfaces so the gums can heal and reattach. Patients with a history of gum disease then return for periodontal maintenance cleanings on a schedule that keeps the condition under control.
Gum disease and your overall health
The American Academy of Periodontology notes that periodontal infection may contribute to heart disease and poses a serious threat to people whose health is already compromised by diabetes and respiratory disease. Treating gum disease protects more than your smile. Learn more about our gum disease treatment.
Care for older patients
As we age, our teeth and gums change too. Years of coffee, tea or tobacco can darken teeth, many medications cause dry mouth, and older fillings and dental work can weaken or crack. Regular checkups let us monitor existing restorations and catch problems early. If you notice bleeding gums or loose teeth, call us right away.
No insurance? Ask about our membership plans
For patients without dental insurance, we offer in-house membership plans that include exams, cleanings and X-rays, plus a discount on other care. Plans are available for adults, for patients who need periodontal maintenance, and for denture wearers. See financing and payment options for details.