Exams and Cleanings for Adults and Kids in Richton MS
What’s the most important thing we do here at Richton Dental Care?
Treatments like fillings, crowns, dentures, root canals, and dental implants are often important and necessary, but you might be surprised to find out that the most ordinary service we offer – your preventive examination and cleaning – is actually the cornerstone of our entire practice!
With routine examinations and cleanings every six months, you can significantly reduce, and even prevent, the need for the majority of the rest of our services!
Why Are Cleanings Important?
“If I’m brushing and flossing my teeth like I’m supposed to, why do I need a professional cleaning?”
This is probably one of the most commonly heard questions at any dental office. It’s a reasonable question, and there’s also a reasonable answer:
No matter how diligently you brush and floss your teeth, it is pretty much impossible to remove every trace of plaque build-up. Your teeth aren’t a smooth, flat surface, after all. They have all kinds of crevices and nooks where plaque can hide out. Unfortunately, even the best brushing routine and the fanciest toothbrush simply can’t get everything. Over time, the plaque in these missed areas hardens into tartar, which can only be removed with instruments specially designed for this task.
Your Richton Dental Care dental hygienist is specially trained to identify these areas and remove lingering traces of plaque and tartar. During your cleaning, your hygienist will also discuss your home care routine with you and look for any ways to improve your technique. Your hygienist will also carefully examine your teeth and gums and alert Dr. Richton to any areas of concern that might indicate gum disease or another condition.
What Happens at a Professional Examination?
During your exam, Dr. Darby will perform a visual check and hands-on exam to look for areas of decay or disease. He will also examine your x-rays to look for any issues that could be developing beneath the surface. He will then review his findings with you and present you with treatment options (if necessary).
While we like to visit with our patients and have a good time, we also recognize that your time is precious, so we won’t waste your time. We’ll include your cleaning with your first appointment and even provide treatment at the same appointment in many cases. We know you don’t want to sit through an hour-long lecture on your teeth, so we put ourselves in your shoes and give you the information you need to make a smart, informed decision.
Your Entire Family Is Welcome at Richton Dental Care!
At our family dental practice, we can provide outstanding care for the entire family! Children as young as three years old can benefit from regular cleanings and examinations, and we like to see kids as soon as they start developing teeth (or by their first birthday) for an initial “happy visit” so we can discuss early dental care and get them off to a great start.
Has it been a while since your last cleaning or examination? That’s okay! We’ll never judge you – we’re just glad you’re here, and we’ll help you get back on track.
Call today to schedule your visit to Richton Dental Care!
Frequently Asked Questions
It's quite common for people to avoid seeing a dentist until something hurts. We usually refer to this as "crisis treatment." In the long run, however, preventive treatment will help you stay healthy. Think of it like you would car maintenance – if you skip oil changes or tune-ups, you're going to have a lot more problems down the road!
For many patients, the goal may be to save money. The problem with this is that many dental problems don't cause any type of symptoms until they are considerably advanced. At this point, it's going to take more than just a simple filling to treat the problem. Instead of root canal treatment, a build-up, and a crown, we'd much rather treat you with a filling three to four years before you feel any pain!
It's common to see patients who haven't been to the dentist because nothing hurts and find that they have one or more huge cavities... and they have no idea!
At Richton Dental Care, we prefer to practice conservative dentistry whenever possible, and our patients prefer it too. When you see us regularly for your check-ups and professional cleanings, we can catch problems early on, when simple treatments are all it takes.
While a number of conditions can be spotted during a visual exam, many other conditions develop beneath the enamel or gum tissue. If we wait until these problems are visible to the naked eye, you could be in for a great deal of discomfort and hassle!
Instead, we rely on x-rays to help us spot developing problems as early as possible so they can be easily treated with simple, conservative treatments.
For instance, an x-ray examination at Richton Dental Care could reveal:
- Bone infections or destruction
- Periodontal disease
- Cysts, abscesses, and other infections
- Developmental abnormalities
- Certain types of tumors
We value your time, and we don't waste it with overexplaining. We'll take the necessary x-rays and let you know if you we spot anything concerning as quickly and simply as possible using plain English instead of dental jargon! We put ourselves in your shoes and make sure you get the info you need to make sound decisions concerning your dental care. And, of course, we'll always answer any questions you have!
Dental x-rays use a very low amount of radiation and are quite safe. Simply put, we wouldn't use them otherwise. The benefit of having regular x-rays far outweighs any possible risk!
Our Team
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Dr. Nicholas Darby DDS
Dr. Nicholas Darby was born and raised in Senatobia, MS, where he was a graduate from Senatobia High School. Dr. Darby received his undergraduate degree in biology from Louisiana Tech University. While enrolled at Louisiana Tech, he was a member of the Bulldog football team. After graduating from Louisiana Tech, he attended LSU School of Dentistry and received his DDS degree in 2008.
Since 2008, Dr. Darby has been practicing general and family dentistry in Mississippi and is now excited to be serving the town of Richton and all surrounding communities. ...
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