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Dental Exams & Cleanings

A diligent at-home oral hygiene routine can make the difference between outstanding oral health and a succession of dental problems. But brushing at home isn’t enough – you need to combine this effort with regular professional cleanings and exams to ensure a lifetime free from complicated oral health problems.

At Gill Dental, we focus on educating our patients about the importance of preventive services like regular exams and dental cleanings so we can help them achieve the best possible oral health. Staying a step ahead of problems with preventive care is the easiest way to minimize the risk of costly and complicated dental procedures in the future.

Comprehensive Dental Exams

Our exams focus on your entire mouth to detect problems that may be developing, like the onset of periodontal disease, problems with your dental bite, and even early signs of oral cancer.

If you’re a new patient, Dr. Gill will take the opportunity to talk to you about your long-term goals for a healthy mouth. As we build a relationship with you over time, we’ll learn more about your expectations and how we can help you reach your goals in the way that makes the most sense for you.

During all of our routine dental exams we will:

Perform a visual exam, including an oral cancer screening
Note the condition of any existing dental work
Check your dental bite for malocclusion
Take digital x-rays (if needed) to look for problems inside your teeth

The Importance of Professional Cleanings

Even if you take excellent care of your teeth at home, you still need regular professional dental cleanings to completely remove the buildup of plaque and tartar on your teeth. At Gill Dental, we agree with the American Dental Association’s guidelines and recommend semi-annual cleanings for all our patients.

Cleanings twice a year are sufficient for many patients, but for those with a history of gum disease, we usually recommend more frequent cleanings.

Treating Gum Disease

Periodontal disease (gum disease) is a serious threat to your oral health and overall well-being. If we don’t catch gum disease in the early stages, it can cause teeth to loosen and will eventually lead to tooth and bone loss. In fact, gum disease is the number one cause of tooth loss in adults.

The earliest stage of periodontal disease is referred to as gingivitis. In most cases, it can be treated with a routine dental cleaning and improved home care. However, if we find that gum disease has progressed to the next stage, periodontitis, we will recommend a deep cleaning to eliminate the bacteria and infected tissue.

During a deep cleaning, we will use our ultrasonic scaler to comfortably remove plaque, tartar, and harmful bacteria above and below the gum line. During this process, the surface of the tooth is smoothed so affected gum tissue can heal and naturally reattach to the tooth. Depending on the extent of infection, Dr. Gill may also prescribe antibiotics and schedule a follow-up deep cleaning.

Please Call to Arrange Your Next Dental Cleaning

Achieving excellent oral health is possible for everyone, and it starts with prevention. If you’d like to take the first step toward making your teeth as healthy as possible, please call our Williams dental office to arrange your next dental exam and cleaning.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I need dental x-rays?

Visual exams and dental x-rays work together to give us a detailed, overall view of the condition of your teeth. Our state-of-the-art digital x-rays are used to take precise images of the inside of your tooth, in between teeth, and below the gum line.

Digital x-rays don’t just let us see a detailed image of the inside of your teeth; using digital x-rays reduces your exposure by as much as 90% compared to traditional analog film-based x-rays.

These images are then used to check for small cavities and other hard-tissue abnormalities. At Gill Dental, we are very conservative with the number of x-rays we take, and every patient is prescribed x-rays based on their own individual needs. We normally suggest that check-up x-rays be taken every 12–24 months. After Dr. Gill has evaluated the condition of your oral health, we’ll establish a schedule for x-rays that is personalized for your needs.

Dental x-rays are one of the most important diagnostic tools we use at Gill Dental, and we take every possible step to ensure your safety during the process. We would love to hear from you so we can get started on a treatment plan based on a clear understanding of your own individual needs.

Why do I have bad breath?

Bad breath (halitosis) can be an unpleasant and embarrassing condition. Most of us suffer from bad breath from time to time, usually as a result of eating foods with very strong odors. But chronic bad breath doesn't just make you feel self-conscious. It may be a sign that a more serious problem exists.

Here’s a list of some of the most common causes of bad breath:

Oral Health Problems :

Microbial deposits on the tongue
Poor oral hygiene
Presence of periodontal (gum) disease
Untreated tooth decay

Lifestyle Choices:

Use of tobacco products
Dieting
Skipping meals

Medical Conditions:

Enlarged tonsils or tonsil stones
Diabetes, sinus conditions, bronchitis

If your bad breath is causing you to avoid social interactions and making you feel self-conscious, please contact our Williams office first to determine if it’s related to a dental problem. At that time, we’ll also talk about your oral hygiene and any other changes you can make to eliminate chronic bad breath.

What can I do to prevent bad breath?

There’s a long list of causes for bad breath, but what can you do to get rid of it? There may be a medical or dental reason for your bad breath, but in many cases, you can eliminate bad breath with some easy lifestyle changes.

Don't...

Don’t smoke: While there are a multitude of reasons to quit the bad habit of smoking, one of the more obvious ones is the strong odor it leaves on your breath.

Don’t eat foods with strong odors: Avoid onions and garlic, especially before or during an important business meeting or other event where you need to interact with others. Onions and garlic leave a strong odor because they contain elements that make their way into your bloodstream and travel to your lungs, until you finally breathe them out.

Do...

Brush and floss thoroughly: Conscientious oral hygiene is necessary for your oral health to avoid cavities and gum disease. However, it also dislodges food particles that would be otherwise stuck between your teeth trapping bacteria, causing a distinctive odor. If you wear dentures, make sure they’re cleaned thoroughly every day.

Visit the dentist frequently: In combination with at-home oral hygiene, visiting the dentist for regular exams and cleanings is the easiest way to banish bad breath and make sure your mouth is as healthy as it can be.

Use mouthwash: In many cases, all you need is a quick rinse with mouthwash to eliminate odors.

Please call Gill Dental to learn more about the reasons for bad breath and what you can do to get rid of it

Meet Our Doctor:

Sher Himmat S. Gill DDS

Dr. Sher Himmat S. Gill received his Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Sciences from the University of California, Davis. He then attended the University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry where he was awarded his Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree. After receiving his DDS degree, Dr. Gill spent several years as an associate dentist in a group practice where he performed general dentistry procedures for both children and adults.

In dental school, Dr. Gill participated in a number of externship programs and ...