Practicing diligent oral hygiene at home is very important, but it’s not enough to maintain a truly healthy smile for years to come. After all, problems can develop that are difficult for an untrained eye to find, and dangerous consequences can occur if they’re left untreated for too long. That’s why we strongly recommend attending regular appointments here at the office of John Petty, DMD. With the help of an in-depth evaluation and cleaning, Dr. Petty and the rest of our team can form a complete picture of your oral health, identify problems effectively, and leave your smile feeling more clean and confident than ever.
Dr. Petty is known for his calming, relaxing manner, and he’s always sure to listen to whatever you have to say about your unique dental needs. During a standard checkup, he’ll carefully inspect the surfaces of each tooth, gums, other soft tissues, bite alignment, and other aspects of oral health.
For adults, we’ll perform an oral cancer screening as well, and advanced digital X-ray technology will thoroughly capture detailed images so that we have a complete understanding of your current dental health situation.
If treatment is needed, Dr. Petty will discuss his recommendations in clear and concise terms so that you always understand your options and their benefits. We want your visits with us to be as enjoyable and positive as possible.
No one can improve your oral health more than you through regular care at home, but even the most diligent of approaches can miss some dental plaque here and there. What’s worse is that, over time, these areas of plaque can harden into what we call tartar and dental calculus – tough deposits on the teeth that can provide shelter for dangerous bacteria. Thankfully, an in-depth cleaning at our Tullahoma office can completely refresh your smile, leaving it looking more polished than ever. Our team members will also be happy to let you know where deposits seem to be most frequent and how you can combat these issues with brushing and flossing.
At the dental office of Dr. John Petty, we’re fully committed to providing safe and advanced care that delivers stunning results. Our team looks forward to welcoming you! Contact our Tullahoma, TN location today if you have any questions, or if you’re ready to schedule your first appointment. We also serve the areas of Shelbyville, Manchester, Murfreesboro, Lynchburg, and beyond.
The American Dental Association recommends seeing your dentist every six months for routine exams and cleanings. Visiting our office in Tullahoma for your biannual checkups will allow Dr. Petty to monitor your oral health, address issues like oral infections in their early stages, and advise you as to better hygiene practices you can implement at home. These visits will help us prevent painful and destructive oral health issues that can be costly to treat, and dental insurance usually covers routine preventive care like exams and cleanings completely. This makes seeing us for your dental checkups a smart investment in your smile and your oral health.
When Dr. Petty performs a regular dental exam, he will carefully inspect your teeth, gums, tongue, and soft tissues for signs of infection as well as oral cancer. He’ll also inspect your bite to make sure you don’t have any alignment problems and take care to answer any questions you have about your oral health and hygiene. He’ll also evaluate any dental restorations like crowns, bridges, implants, or dentures, so be sure to bring any removable prosthetic devices you use with you. Most routine checkups take about ten to fifteen minutes, but this can vary significantly based on the needs of the patient.
If you are free from dental infections and other oral health issues, you will probably only need a regular dental cleaning that usually takes about thirty minutes. However, patients who require deep cleanings due to tartar accumulations may need longer treatment sessions than that or additional appointments for scaling and root planing. The best ways to keep your mouth in great shape so you are more likely to need only a regular cleaning include practicing excellent oral hygiene, visiting our office in Tullahoma every six months for exams and cleanings, and limiting your intake of sugary and acidic foods and beverages as well as alcohol and tobacco.
Dental X-rays are usually completed during routine checkups every six months, and they normally take only a few minutes. The three types of dental X-rays include:
The type of X-rays you need will depend on the state of your oral health and how long it has been since you last received X-rays. You may be more likely to need X-rays due to your age, oral health history, existing medical conditions, and family history.