When patients are fully informed about their dental health, they usually do more to maintain it. That’s been our experience at Neal C. Johnson DMD in Billings, so we make patient education a priority at every checkup.
Are regular checkups even necessary? That question comes up sometimes. We don’t mean to hedge with our answer, but it really depends on what is meant by regular. For some patients it’s enough to see us once a year. For others, every four months is better. For most, twice a year is ideal.
At every checkup, we examine you for any signs of gum disease. In its mildest form, gum disease is known as gingivitis and is easily treated. Stepping up your dental care routine at home is often enough to get it under control.
Indestructable?
Your teeth may seem like pieces of bone growing in your mouth, but they are actually living structures. That hard surface of enamel covers an interior filled with a rigid material called dentin, which is mineralized connective tissue. As hard as it is, it is not indestructable. When bacteria causes holes in it you have a cavity. We want to fill those as soon as possible.
Fillings, by the way, won’t last forever. They can break down or become loose over time. If that happens, decay can get into the area around it and cause problems. You can extend the life of a filling with daily brushing and flossing.
The more you know the better off you are. If you have any questions about a recommended procedure at Neal C. Johnson DMD in Billings, don’t hesitate to ask. Patients from Lockwood, Billings Heights, and Laurel come to us for complete family and restorative dentistry services, and much more. And they ask a lot of questions, too! Schedule your next appointment with us today.
Contact Neal C. Johnson DMD:
406-656-2700
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
176 S 32nd St W Ste 3
Billings, Montana
59102
