At Dr. Jennifer Perkins, DDS, your dental exams and dental cleanings are the foundation upon which your family’s oral health is built. So we take them seriously, and you should, too! We recommend visiting our Huntsville, AL dental office every six months for checkups. Check your calendar. Is it time for your dental exams and dental cleanings? Call Dr. Jennifer Perkins, DDS Huntsville, AL dental office at 256-801-0002 for this vital general dentistry service.
Dr. Jenny Perkins, DDS on Dental Cleanings and Dental Exams
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When a new patient comes for their first visit in our office, when they open the door they're going be called by name. We want this to be a special time for that patient. We want them to feel welcome. We're going to show you around the office. We're going to introduce you to all of our team members, that way there aren't any strangers in the office. When you're seated with one of our hygienists, they're going to explain everything that they're going to do with you during that appointment. They're going to make X-rays. They're going to do a periodontal health screening to make sure that there's no gum disease. They are going to evaluate the situation and see what type of cleaning is best for each patient. We're definitely not a one-size-fits-all kind of practice; we are very individualized to each of our patients.
When I come in to visit with a patient during this first visit, I'm going to start with an oral cancer screening. We have some specialized equipment that we use, some instruments to make sure that you are in the best health possible. And if not, we're going to be able to find out if there's any difficulties going on. I'm going to check each and every one of your teeth individually. We're going to make a record of the restorations that you already have. We're going to make suggestions on any improvements that might be made to the teeth. We're going to talk about replacing teeth if that's something that might be necessary. But, first and foremost, I want you to know that we're going to take care of you as a whole person and I want to know what your feelings are. What are your dental desires? And, we'll go from there.
After we have seen what might be appropriate for your particular dental situation, we're going to develop a treatment plan customized just for you. We will review that with you, we'll answer any and all questions that you have. I don't even mind if you come back for a second time through. We've certainly done that before. My main goal is that you understand any treatment that has been suggested and that you don't have any surprises.
Your Dental Exams Are Important, and Here’s Why
If we find a cavity during your dental exams, we can take care of it with a simple tooth filling. But if the dental decay worsens, you may end up needing a costly and complicated dental treatment like a root canal – or end up losing your tooth. Routine dental exams help us find the problems while they are still small and correct those issues before they become detrimental to your oral health.
We don’t just look for cavities during your examination. We also look for signs of:
- Gum disease. This is the leading cause of tooth loss among adults. We can stop its damaging effects with a deep cleaning treatment.
- Oral cancer. The kinds of cancer found during dental exams have low survival rates after five years, so it’s important to identify them during their earliest stages.
- Dental problems like teeth grinding. If we notice signs of teeth grinding, we can recommend strategies to help. Grinding is not only hard on your teeth; it causes problems like chronic headaches.
During your dental exam, you’ll get a thorough teeth cleaning. We’ll remove plaque and tartar from places you just can’t reach with a toothbrush and floss – we’ll even clean your gums! Your smile will look and feel great after we remove surface stains and polish your teeth.
If we find a cavity, we can usually place a composite tooth fillings during your visit. No need to schedule a second appointment! And we may recommend anti-decay treatments like dental sealants or fluoride varnish.
You Can Relax While We Work
When you arrive at Dr. Jennifer Perkins, DDS, we’ll greet you warmly and get to know you during our time together. We prioritize comfort whenever you’re in our Huntsville, AL dental office, whether it’s for a dental cleanings or another dental services. So we offer amenities like:
- Soft pillows
- Cozy blankets
- TVs to entertain you while we work
- Complimentary beverages
Dr. Jennifer Perkins obtained her DDS from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis. She is also a member of many professional organizations such as the Academy of General Dentistry, American Dental Association, Alabama Dental Society, Huntsville-Madison County Dental Society, and Eighth District Dental Society. After 22 years of practicing dentistry, she’s still excited to help patients restore their oral function and give them their dream smile.
Ready for your dental cleanings and dental exams? Call Dr. Jennifer Perkins, DDS Huntsville, AL dental office at 256-801-0002, or use our online form to make an appointment with Dr. Jennifer Perkins, DDS.