As different issues arise and you learn more about your dental health, you might have increasingly more questions about caring for your and your family’s smiles. At our Rochester office, patient education is an important resource in effective dental healthcare. The more you know about your oral health and the services your family dentist provides, the better prepared you’ll be to take full advantage of Dr. Calcagno’s expertise.
Is a checkup and cleaning the same for everyone?
As the name suggests, a dental checkup and cleaning is a routine dental visit that involves professionally removing plaque and tartar from your teeth’s surfaces. The examination part describes a comprehensive inspection of your teeth, gums, and oral tissues for signs of infection or disease. Though everyone’s oral health is different, everyone develops plaque, which contains bacteria and can calcify into tartar—a substance too difficult for your toothbrush and floss to remove. Depending on what the exam reveals, your checkup and cleaning may involve recommendations for necessary treatment.
Can you help me with chronic headaches?
If you suffer from chronic headaches, earaches, mouth and facial pain, and/or difficulty moving your jaw, then you might suffer from TMJ disorder. The jaw dysfunction affects your temporomandibular joints (TMJs) that connect your lower jaw to your skull, and can result from crooked teeth, bruxism, an uneven jawbone, or a number of other dental issues. As a family dentist, Dr. Calcagno can help patients find relief from chronic TMJ pain by addressing its underlying cause, or recommending a specialist, if needed. Correcting your bite should alleviate the pressure on your jaw’s joints and muscles, allowing them to heal and relieving your chronic aches and pains.
Can my children receive dental care, too?
A beautiful, healthy smile is a lifelong endeavor, and good dental health should begin as early as possible. Dr. Calcagno recommends bringing your child for an initial dental visit by the time the first tooth erupts. Children should attend routine checkups and cleanings at least once every six months, like their parents.
About Your Rochester Dentist:
Dr. Gilly Calcagno is a member of the Academy of General Dentistry, American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, the American Dental Association, and the Minnesota Dental Association, and is active in local dental implant study clubs. To schedule a consultation, or to learn more about how the ACA will affect your family’s dental care, call Calcagno Cosmetic & Restorative Dentistry today at (507) 281-3659.
