Many times your doctor and hygienist may recommend that you come in more often than every 6 months. There are 2 main reasons for this. The first is that some people simply build up calculus and tarter more often than others. The second is for patients with periodontal disease. You can’t see or feel periodontal disease which makes it difficult for the lay person to understand. What is happening is that patients with active disease need the hygienist to destroy bacteria that had accumulated. It is that bacteria that causes gradual bone loss and eventual loss

of your teeth. The good news is that this can be done. The bad news is that the bacteria can never be completely destroyed. Studies have shown that it takes about 3 months for the bacteria to grow back to a point where it starts to destroy bone. By coming in every 3 months your hygienist can stay ahead of the bacteria growth and prevent further bone loss and loss of teeth.

IDENTIFY ORAL ABNORMALITIES EARLY WITH VIZILITE®

Early detection is a key element for successfully treating most cancers. The traditional method for detecting oral cancer is a visual exam by your dentist. The problem is that this visual detection is not early detection. Dr. McDowell and Dr. Ehlen now have a method to detect potential oral cancer earlier. The exam is called a Vizilite Oral Cancer Exam. What happens during the exam is that you are given a solution to swish in your mouth for 1 minute. Dr. McDowell or Dr. Ehlen will then look inside your mouth with a special light. The light will illuminate any suspicious irregularities that cannot be seen with the naked eye. This form of detection has been documented many, many times has a potential life saver. Remember to request this inexpensive early detection exam the next time you are in the office.