Protect Your Oral Health with Regular
Dental Cleanings & Exams
While some dental health concerns may present with telltale symptoms, others go unnoticed. When conditions such as gum disease or dental decay are left untreated, more serious complications can arise. To protect your oral health and the appearance of your smile, we offer routine dental cleanings and exams. During these visits, we use state-of-the-art diagnostic technology to identify sources of concern and recommend appropriate treatment. Drs. W. Ashley Moorman, J. Barclay Woodward, and Bill Moorman are committed to helping Valdosta, GA, patients achieve optimal oral health and beautiful smiles.
What to Expect
A dental checkup is a time for our doctors to evaluate your oral health. We typically recommend that patients schedule visits twice each year. However, patients with underlying conditions such as gum disease may need more frequent appointments. Each checkup includes an exam, cleaning, and oral cancer screening.
Dental Exam
To assess the structure of your bite and position of your teeth, we may take digital x-rays. These scans can be used to detect:
- Tooth decay
- Dental misalignment
- Chips, cracks, or other damage
At this point, we can also carefully review your medical history and discuss any concerns you may have regarding your dental health.
Oral Cancer Screening
According to The Oral Cancer Foundation, 75 percent of head and neck cancers begin in the oral cavity. As such, we perform an oral cancer screening during all routine visits. This typically involves a visual examination of your lips, tongue, cheeks, and gums. We can also palpate each area in search of nodules or swelling. If we identify lesions, white or red patches, or any other abnormal tissue growth, we may recommend a biopsy.
Professional Cleaning
Though daily brushing and flossing is integral to maintaining good oral health, it is not always easy to effectively clean hard-to-reach areas. During a professional dental cleaning, your hygienist can remove plaque and tartar from the surface of teeth and then clean between teeth using a high-pressure water instrument as well as floss. To add the finishing touches, we can use a gritty toothpaste to polish your teeth and eliminate any remaining stains.
To encourage you to maintain regular checkups, we offer a free syringe of professional whitening solution after each exam to those who are enrolled in our Free Whitening for Life program.
Depending on your age and your predisposition to decay, we may recommend a fluoride treatment or sealant to help prevent cavities. While this treatment is most common among pediatric patients, it can also benefit adults.
Advanced Technology
We use the latest diagnostic technology to evaluate your dental health and recommend the best form of treatment. During your visit, we may use:
- A digital x-ray machine, which emits less radiation than traditional methods
- Intraoral cameras, which can illuminate hard-to-see areas
- DIAGNOdent™ pen, which can detect even the smallest of cavities using florescence
- Optical magnification, which can provide a detailed view of any area
Advanced tools are also used during treatment for your comfort and safety.
Free Teeth Whitening
To encourage you to maintain regular checkups, we offer a free syringe of professional whitening solution after each exam to those who are enrolled in our Free Whitening for Life program. If you have questions about teeth whitening, our friendly staff would be happy to assist you further during your visit.
Schedule Your Dental Cleaning
We are passionate about helping patients of all ages care for their smile. When you trust your dental needs to our team, you can feel confident that you will receive the personalized attention you deserve. If you or your loved one is due for a checkup, contact us online or call us today at (229) 242-4441.
