Kansas City dentist, Dentist in Kansas City,

Dental Hygiene/Periodontal Health

In addition to a thorough cleaning, polishing, and examination of your teeth, we also help your develop proper oral hygiene habits at home. We will evaluate your hygiene techniques and suggest adjustments where needed. Dr. Williams and his hygienists will also make suggestions for preventative measures such as dental sealants to protect the deep grooves in back teeth from decay, flouride treatments or nightguards to protect against bruxism and TMJ problems.

If we detect gingivitis or more severe gum disease, Dr. Williams may recommend a root scaling or planing. These treatments can be instrumental in preventing bone loss and helping you to keep your natural teeth.

Oral Cancer Screenings

During your dental exam, Dr. Williams will check your neck and oral tissues for lumps, red or white patches or recurring sore areas.

Screenings for early changes in the oral tissue help detect cancer at a stage when it can be more successfully treated.

Smoking, especially combined with heavy alcohol consumption (30 drinks or more a week), is the primary risk factor for oral cancer. The combination of smoking and heavy alcohol use is estimated to be the most likely cause for about 75% of the oral cancer cases diagnosed in this country. Other lifestyle and environmental factors also may increase your risk of developing oral cancer.

Scaling & Root Planing

Scaling and root planing is a non-surgical procedure in which plaque and tartar are removed from below the gum line with specially designed instruments. It is important to remove the plaque and calculus, commonly called tartar, from the pockets below the gum line. Bacterial toxins irritate the gums and plaque and the rough surfaces of calculus make it easier for bacteria to grow.