Waldorf dentist, Dentist in Waldorf, MD

Dental Hygiene & Periodontal Health

In addition to the meticulous cleaning, polishing, and examination of your teeth, we also take the time to help our patients develop proper oral hygiene habits at home. We evaluate your hygiene techniques and make adjustments to your routine where needed. Dr. Dapice also makes suggestions for preventative measures such as dental sealants. If we feel that you are suffering from gingivitis or more severe gum disease, we may recommend root scaling or planing. These measures can be instrumental in preventing bone loss and helping you to keep your natural teeth.

Oral Cancer Screenings

During a dental exam, the doctor will check your neck and oral tissues for lumps, red or white patches or recurring sore areas. Screening for early changes in the oral tissue can help detect cancer at a stage when it can be more successfully treated. Smoking, especially combined with heavy alcohol consumption (30 drinks a week or more), is the primary risk factor for oral cancer. In fact, this combination is estimated to be the most likely trigger in about 75 percent of oral cancers diagnosed in this country. Other lifestyle and environmental factors also may increase your risk of developing oral cancer.