Hygiene Appointments – Regular Checkups
Good oral hygiene is important for general health and aesthetics. Poor oral hygiene can lead to a variety of dental and medical problems such as gum disease, infection, bone loss, heart disease, strokes and more. Regular check ups and cleanings can prevent these problems as well as provide you with good oral hygiene.
Reasons for regular checkups:
1. To Prevent Gum Disease
Gum disease is an infection in the gum tissues and the surrounding bone. It is one of the leading causes of adult tooth loss. If diagnosed early, it can be treated. If treatment is not received, a more serious and advanced stage of gum disease may follow.
2. To Help Maintain Good Physical Health
Recent studies have linked heart attacks and strokes to gum disease, resulting from poor oral hygiene. A dental cleaning every 6 months helps to keep your teeth and gums healthy and could possibly reduce your risk of heart disease and strokes.
3. To Keep Your Teeth
Since gum disease is one of the leading causes of tooth loss in adults, regular dental check ups and cleanings,brushing and flossing are vital to keeping as many teeth as you can. Keeping your teeth means better chewing function and ultimately, better health.
4. To Detect Dental Problems Early
Your dentist and hygienist will be able to detect any early signs of problems with your teeth or gums. Early detection of cavities, broken fillings and gum disease are easily treatable. If these problems go untreated, root canals, gum surgery and removal of teeth could become the only treatment options available.
5. To Maintain Good Oral Health
Your dental hygienist will help to ensure that you are maintaining your good oral health by visual examination and comparing your previous dental check ups. If you are falling off track with your oral hygiene he / she will help put you back on the right path.
6. To Have a Bright and White Smile
Your dental hygienist can remove most tobacco, coffee and tea stains. During your cleaning, your hygienist will also polish your teeth to a beautiful shine. The result? A whiter and brighter smile!
7. To Prevent Bad Breath
Dental studies show that about 85% of people with persistent bad breath have a dental problem that is the root cause. Good oral hygiene is essential in preventing bad breath. Regular check ups and cleanings are the best way to make sure that you are maintaining good oral hygiene.
8. To Prevent Oral Cancer
According to The Oral Cancer Foundation, someone dies from oral cancer, every hour of every day in the United States alone. When you have your dental cleaning, your dentist is also screening you for oral cancer, which is highly curable if diagnosed early.
Common Hygiene Questions
If you ever have questions that are not answered, it is always best to contact our office to make sure you are getting correct information. Give us a call 304.599.3736 or email scheduling@drjannbarber.com
What is plaque?
Many of the foods you eat cause the bacteria in your mouth to produce acids. Sugared foods, such as candy and cookies, are not the only culprits. Starches, such as bread, crackers, and cereal, also cause acids to form. If you snack often, you could be having acid attacks all day long. After many acid attacks, your teeth may decay. Plaque also produces substances that irritate the gums, making them red, tender or bleed easily. After a time, gums may pull away from the teeth. Pockets form and fill with more bacteria. If the gums are not treated, the bone around the teeth can be destroyed. The teeth may become loose or have to be removed. In fact, periodontal (gum) disease is a main cause of tooth loss in adults.
What are some tips for daily oral care?
The best way to remove decay-causing plaque is by brushing and cleaning between your teeth every day. Brushing removes plaque from the tooth surfaces. Brush your teeth twice a day, with a soft-bristled brush. The size and shape of your brush should fit your mouth, allowing you to reach all areas easily. Use a toothpaste that contains fluoride, which helps protect your teeth from decay. When choosing any dental product, look for the American Dental Association Seal of Acceptance, an important symbol of a dental product’s safety and effectiveness. Cleaning between the teeth once a day with floss or interdental cleaners removes plaque from between the teeth, areas where the toothbrush can’t reach. It is essential in preventing periodontal (gum) disease. By taking care of your teeth, eating a balanced diet and visiting your dentist regularly, you can have healthy teeth and an attractive smile your entire life.
How do I brush my teeth?
- Place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle against the gums.
- Move the brush back and forth gently in short (tooth-wide) strokes.
- Brush the outer tooth surfaces, the inner tooth surfaces, and the chewing surfaces of the teeth.
- Use the “toe” of the brush to clean the inside surfaces of the front teeth, using a gentle up-and-down stroke.
- Brush your tongue to remove bacteria and freshen your breath.
How do I floss my teeth?
- Proper tooth flossing technique.Break off about 18 inches of floss and wind most of it around one of your middle fingers. Wind the remaining floss around the same finger of the opposite hand. This finger will take up the floss as it becomes dirty. Hold the floss tightly between your thumbs and forefingers.
- Guide the floss between your teeth using a gentle rubbing motion. Never snap the floss into the gums.
- When the floss reaches the gum line, curve it into a C shape against one tooth. Gently slide it into the space between the gum and the tooth.
- Hold the floss tightly against the tooth. Gently rub the side of the tooth, moving the floss away from the gum with up and down motions.
- Repeat this method on the rest of your teeth.
- Don’t forget the back side of your last tooth.
You don’t have to wait any longer to get the beautiful smile you always wanted. Modern dental techniques have put smile makeovers within your budget. We’ll work with you to design and build a dazzling new smile—one that will make you look and feel great!
Keeping your teeth healthy and functioning well—that’s the goal of all our preventive care services. We want you to have a Classic Smile for Life!
- Hygiene appointments (Regular Checkups / Dental Visits)
- Individualized home care treatment plans (tailored for each patient's needs)
- Sealants
- Night Guards
When you have a problem with your teeth, our goal is simple: we want to restore them so they look great and function well. You’ll smile, speak and chew naturally. All our restorative procedures have aesthetic goals. This is true even for back teeth. We care about function but also how restoration looks.
We combine new technologies with old-fashioned service to make your experience in our dental office as pleasant and comfortable as possible.
Gum disease — also called periodontal disease — is a serious dental condition. If left untreated, it can destroy your bone and cause you to lose your teeth. Gum disease has also been linked to other serious health conditions such as diabetes, stroke, and heart disease. We’ll work with you to treat gum disease and show you how to take care of your teeth and gums to prevent future recurrences.
Jann C. Barber, DDS
3154 Collins Ferry Road
Morgantown, WV 26505
Phone: (304) 599-3736
We Accept Cash, Check, Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and Care Credit.
Office Hours
Monday: 7:20 am - 4:30 pm
Tuesday: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Wednesday: 6:30 am - 4:30 pm
Thursday: 6:30 am - 4:30 pm
Friday: CLOSED
Appointment Policy
We don't charge for missed appointments but we do ask that you confirm your appointment by 1:30pm the day before. Responding to either the phone call, text message, or email will confirm your appointment. If your appointment is not Unconfirmed appointments will be cancelled.