Maintaining a lifelong, healthy smile relies on the foundation of preventive care. By combining robust oral hygiene habits with regular dental visits, you can proactively prevent the development of painful and costly dental problems.
Family Dentistry
At Dr. Elizabeth Wakim’s office in Washington, PA, our team of distinguished dentists will provide you with exceptional care. During your visit, a comprehensive exam will be conducted to assess the condition of your jaw joints and muscles. Additionally, our advanced oral cancer screening, which includes the use of digital x-rays, will thoroughly evaluate the health of your soft and hard tissues. Rest assured, you are in capable hands at our practice.
We value this comprehensive approach, as it allows us to catch any potential issues early on before they become more serious and costly problems. Our goal is to keep your oral health in optimal condition so you can enjoy a bright, healthy smile for years to come.
When it comes to your family’s health, you need the best care. From teaching proper brushing and flossing habits to your children to providing relief from uncomfortable toothaches, we’ve got you covered for all your family’s oral health needs. Rest assured, your family’s well-being is our top priority.
When you and your family step through our doors, you’ll be treated by one of our highly-trained team members. Before diving into a comprehensive exam, we want to take the time to get to know you, ask about your smile goals, and ensure you feel comfortable. You’ll then see the hygienist, who will take a detailed look at your teeth, gums, and jaw. Next, your dentist will walk you through your treatment options, ensuring you understand the next steps and how they can enhance your oral health.
Common Questions
Dr. Wakim and her expert team strive to deliver high-quality dental care that is as convenient as it is thorough. New patients can expect to spend approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes in the office for a routine dental checkup, and existing patients should anticipate spending approximately 1 hour in the office.
When we talk about dental cleaning, we are talking about a procedure called prophylaxis. Prophylaxis removes plaque and tartar buildup above the gum line, and healthy patients should receive prophylaxis every six months.
New patients should expect to have dental x-rays taken at their first appointment. This gives our team a radiographic starting point for properly caring for your teeth. Our practice uses the most advanced dental x-ray technology available, which allows us to take highly accurate x-rays while minimizing patient x-ray exposure.
After your new patient x-rays, the frequency with which you will need to retake x-rays depends on your personal oral health. Patients with pathology-free mouths can expect x-rays every 12 months, or every other visit. Patients with a condition that needs to be more closely monitored can expect x-rays every six months or every visit.
An important part of your routine dental checkup is screening for oral cancer. The dentist will examine the soft tissues of the mouth – lips, gums, cheeks, palette, etc. – for any indications of disease using an oral ID device. Oral ID uses fluorescence technology to detect any abnormal areas. We will also complete a manual exam of the face and neck.
If your dentist identifies an area with an unusual texture or color or exhibits another symptom of oral cancer, we will take a small sample of cells for further examination. This is called a biopsy.
The most important thing you can do to reduce your oral cancer risk is to avoid smoking, chewing smokeless tobacco, and consuming excess amounts of alcohol. Regular oral cancer screenings are also important because early detection is essential to successful oral cancer treatment.
There are several different types of custom mouthguards available, and they all serve slightly different functions. Athletic mouthguards can prevent dental trauma that may occur while playing sports or engaging in other physical activities. Night guards are designed to prevent patients who grind or clench their teeth from damaging the enamel of their teeth while they sleep. Special mouthguards can even be used to assist in treating sleep apnea.
Sleep apnea is a serious condition that causes people to stop breathing while they sleep. This can interrupt a patient’s sleep cycle, lead to headaches and depression, or even increase a patient’s risk of heart attack, stroke, heart failure, and irregular heartbeat.
Luckily, once identified, there are a variety of strategies that can be used to treat sleep apnea. Your dentist can diagnose you with sleep apnea and walk you through your treatment options– CPAP machines, sleep apnea mouth guards, surgery, medication, and more– to find the best option for you.
Join The Family
We’d love to have you come in and be a part of our family. We’ll ensure that our compassion and sophistication in dental innovation leave you coming back for more!