At the office of Hearth Dental Practice, we take a preventive-first approach to oral health. Regular, thoughtful oral exams let us catch small problems before they become major concerns and give you the information you need to preserve a healthy, attractive smile. Our preventive services include complete oral examinations, professional cleanings, oral cancer screening, and practical patient education on daily hygiene, nutrition, and habits that support long-term dental health.
Your first comprehensive visit sets the stage for personalized care. We start by reviewing your medical and dental history and listening to your concerns so we understand your priorities and any symptoms you may be experiencing. That conversation helps guide the rest of the exam and ensures we focus on the areas that matter most to you.
The clinical portion of the exam evaluates teeth, gums, soft tissues, and the supporting bone. We assess bite alignment, look for signs of wear from clenching or grinding, and examine jaw function, including TMJ movement. When indicated, we’ll take diagnostic images to get a clear view of structures that are not visible on the surface.
At the end of the visit we summarize our findings and explain recommended next steps in straightforward terms. Whether you need targeted preventive care, ongoing monitoring, or a restorative plan, we’ll outline options and answer your questions so you can make informed decisions about your oral health.
An oral exam is a full assessment, not a quick check for decay. While detecting cavities is an important function, exams also screen for soft-tissue changes, signs of gum disease, and early indicators of other conditions. We perform an oral cancer screening as part of routine exams and keep an eye out for ulcers, unusual growths, or persistent lesions that warrant further evaluation.
Oral findings can reflect broader health concerns. Research increasingly shows connections between oral health and systemic conditions, so an attentive dental exam can sometimes identify signs that merit medical follow-up. We’ll note any unusual patterns—dry mouth, chronic inflammation, or mucosal changes—and discuss their possible implications.
Being proactive about these signals helps patients take control of both oral and overall well-being. Our role is to identify issues early, explain their significance, and coordinate care when a referral to a medical professional is appropriate.
Common systemic concerns we watch for during an exam include:
Digestive disorders and nutritional issues that can affect enamel and soft tissues
Respiratory conditions that may be related to oral bacteria or other oral symptoms
Cardiovascular risk factors that can be linked to chronic gum inflammation
Stroke-related concerns where oral health is a contributing factor
Diabetes, which often shows early signs in the mouth through gum disease or slow healing
Neurological conditions, where oral symptoms may appear before other systemic signs
Consistent preventive care is the backbone of a durable, healthy smile. Professional cleanings remove plaque and calculus buildup in areas that are hard to reach with home brushing and flossing alone, reducing the bacteria that cause cavities and periodontal disease. Checkups give us an opportunity to monitor restorations, spot early wear patterns, and reinforce effective homecare routines.
We recommend routine checkups at intervals that reflect your individual risk—often twice a year for many adults—but we tailor that schedule based on factors like gum health, history of decay, and medical conditions. Regular appointments allow us to identify changes early, when treatment is simpler, less invasive, and more predictable.
Beyond cleaning, these visits are practical coaching sessions. Our hygienists provide hands-on instruction in brushing and interdental cleaning, and we work with you to develop realistic habits that fit your lifestyle. For parents, routine visits establish positive dental habits in children while monitoring growth and development to spot potential orthodontic needs early.
Our goal is to support every patient in maintaining a lifetime of healthy practices that prevent disease and preserve natural tooth structure wherever possible.
Visual inspection remains essential, but diagnostic imaging completes the picture. Dental x-rays and other radiographs reveal the health of roots, bone, and hidden areas between teeth where decay or infection can develop unnoticed. These images also help us evaluate the position of developing teeth and the integrity of underlying structures.
Digital radiography has transformed how quickly and safely we obtain diagnostic images. Digital sensors produce clear images with very low radiation exposure and allow immediate viewing and comparison over time. The speed and clarity of digital images improve diagnosis and make it easier to explain findings to patients.
Benefits of digital imaging include:
Reduced radiation exposure and faster image acquisition
Immediate image review so information can be discussed during the visit
Easier storage and secure sharing for coordinated care when needed
Less environmental impact compared with film-based processes
Archival storage within your chart for comparison across appointments
An oral exam is the starting point for a sensitive, individualized care plan. After we review clinical findings and diagnostic images, we present the most appropriate options for prevention or treatment and explain the reasons behind our recommendations. Our emphasis is on conservative, evidence-based decisions that preserve tooth structure and support long-term health.
We involve patients in every step of planning—answering questions, outlining what to expect, and setting realistic goals for oral health. Whether the focus is preventive maintenance, managing periodontal concerns, or coordinating restorative care, the plan is crafted to suit your priorities and medical history.
At Hearth Dental Practice, we aim to make every oral exam informative and reassuring. If you’d like to learn more about our approach to oral health or schedule a comprehensive examination, please contact us for more information.
Yes. We always welcome new patients and their families for care. Feel free to give us a call or reach out to us online to schedule a first visit or for any additional information on our office. We look forward to hearing from you!
Routine dental checkups and professional cleanings help ensure your smile remains in tip-top condition and that any developing problems receive the prompt care they require. While it's a good idea to schedule a checkup and cleaning twice a year, longer or shorter intervals between routine visits depend on your specific needs.
We understand that life gets complicated and busy, and for various reasons, you haven't been able to get to the dentist for care. Don't worry; it's always a good time to get back in touch with the health of your smile.
At Hearth Dental Practice, we offer skilled and compassionate care to address a wide range of dental needs. Whether you need a simple checkup and cleaning, restorations, periodontal treatment, root canal therapy, or the replacement of missing teeth to get your smile back into shape, we provide precise, gentle, stress-free treatment to give you a smile that is as beautiful as it is healthy.
Give us a call today; we're happy to address all your questions and concerns about getting your smile back in tip-top condition.
For pregnant women, practicing good oral care and seeing the dentist to maintain a healthy smile is considered an important component of prenatal care. Researchers have found that pregnancy not only increases the risk of oral health problems, but these problems may also lead to pregnancy complications. At the office of Hearth Dental Practice, we provide the skilled and compassionate care required to help expectant mothers keep their teeth and gums in tip-top condition. While certain procedures are not recommended during pregnancy, we provide the necessary care and take all the necessary precautions required.
Thanks to advances in modern dentistry, teeth that have been affected by a range of imperfections or that have sustained damage from trauma or dental decay can be restored to produce a naturally beautiful looking and functional smile.
As skilled and experienced providers of care, our office can effectively improve and enhance the appearance of teeth that are stained, discolored, misshapen, chipped, fractured, gapped, crowded, or broken down due to dental decay. At the office of Hearth Dental Practice, we offer a comprehensive selection of the leading-edge cosmetic solutions from teeth whitening procedures, dental bonding, tooth-colored fillings, and veneers, to prosthetic solutions and dental implants to rebuild complete and beautiful smiles.
Contact our office to learn more about the many ways we can help you create the smile you've always wanted.
If you're visiting Hearth Dental Practice for the first time, it is helpful that you contact your former dental office and have your records sent over to us. Make note of any problems you may have so that you can discuss them with your dentist.
To provide efficient service, we ask you to please bring your insurance card, an ID, plus any referral slips or diagnostic records given to you by another office. If you are taking medications, please note or make a list of what they are as you will need to provide that information.
Yes! We assure you that both you and your family will be in good hands at the office of Hearth Dental Practice.
We do our best to make sure every patient who steps into our office for care is put at ease. We provide precise and gentle care and our skilled, compassionate team strives to make every visit stress-free. You can rest assured that your smile is in the best of hands and that we are doing all we can to ensure your comfort throughout every procedure. While we always take the time to explain every step in care, feel free to ask us any questions about local anesthesia and methods of dental sedation.
At the office of Hearth Dental Practice, we strive to provide the highest quality of care to address all your dental needs. Once we've had the opportunity to examine your smile, we can give you a clear picture of any dental issues that are present, along with a quote for what the cost of treatment will be. The cost of care all depends upon the extent and complexity of issues affecting the health or appearance of your smile and the types of procedures that are required. Our goal is to make dental care more affordable so that you can begin treatment without any additional stress or delay.
Keep in mind that with routine dental checkups and periodic care, we can help prevent dental disease while treating emerging problems early in their onset to avoid larger issues and more expensive care down the road.
Routine dental checkups and preventive care procedures may be covered under your dental insurance plan requiring little to no out-of-pocket expense. We invite you to check our financial information page or give us a call to find out if our office participates with your plan, and if you have any other questions about dental insurance, dental savings plans, forms of payment, or financing options. We welcome your inquiries and do our best to help you begin care without additional stress or delay.
If you've lost a tooth due to injury, decay, gum disease, or any other reason, we recommend dental implants to replace missing teeth. Dental implants come the closest to replicating the look, feel, and function of your natural teeth.
Absolutely! Both flossing and brushing regularly are equally important to maintain your oral health. While brushing cleans the surface of your teeth, flossing cleans in between them. Flossing is important to prevent plaque buildup, which can cause gums to recede and lead to periodontal disease.
Even if you have dentures, it is still necessary to see a dentist! Dental checkups help ensure that your dentures are comfortable, fitting properly, and that there are no other problems. Beyond assessing your dentures, our dentist will also perform a thorough examination of the jawbone, and surrounding soft tissues both inside the mouth, the face, and neck, to confirm that you remain in good oral health.
Emergency dental care is a service we hope you'll never need- but if you do, the office of Hearth Dental Practice is here for you!
Whether you're suffering from a chipped tooth, toothache, or any problem affecting your oral health, you can be sure to get the prompt attention and compassionate care you require at our office. Patient care and comfort are our top priorities, and we offer a comprehensive range of the most advanced services to address a broad spectrum of dental needs.
While the pain of a toothache is one of the more common reasons that patients come to our office for emergency dental care, we also promptly treat emergencies that are not necessarily painful like crowns that have been dislodged and broken dentures that leave embarrassing gaps in one's smile.
You can rest assured that your oral health is in the best of hands at our office. We'll quickly determine exactly what's wrong, explain your treatment options, and then provide the precise and gentle care you require to alleviate your discomfort and get you back on the path to oral health and wellness.
Your health and comfort are our top priorities. If your dental emergency is painful, if it affects the appearance of your smile, or if you suspect that an infection is present, our office will make every effort to see you as soon as possible for care.
At the office of Hearth Dental Practice, we welcome patients of all ages for care and offer a comprehensive range of services designed to help every member of your family maintain a beautiful and healthy smile. Whether you or a loved one needs a routine checkup and cleaning, fillings, same-day crowns, a cosmetic smile makeover, the replacement of missing teeth or require the services of a skilled and compassionate emergency dentist, you can rely on our office for the highest quality care.
For more information on our office and the many services we provide, or to schedule an appointment for care, give us a call today.
An oral exam is a systematic clinical evaluation of your teeth, gums, soft tissues and supporting structures to assess oral health and detect early problems. It combines visual inspection, tactile examination and a review of your dental history to identify cavities, gum disease, wear patterns and other concerns before they progress. Regular exams give both patients and clinicians the information needed to choose conservative treatments and prioritize preservation of natural tooth structure.
Beyond identifying dental decay, oral exams screen for soft tissue abnormalities and signs that may reflect broader health issues. Findings such as persistent inflammation, unusual lesions or dry mouth can prompt further medical evaluation and help coordinate interdisciplinary care. Taking a preventive-first approach makes oral exams a cornerstone of long-term oral and overall health management.
Your initial comprehensive visit begins with a careful review of medical and dental history and a discussion of your concerns and goals. The clinician will perform a full clinical exam that evaluates teeth, gums, oral mucosa, bite alignment, jaw function and soft tissue health, and will look for signs of clenching, grinding or uneven wear. When needed, diagnostic images such as digital radiographs are taken to visualize roots, bone levels and areas between teeth that are not visible on the surface.
At the end of the exam the dentist or hygienist will summarize findings, explain recommended next steps in clear terms, and answer questions so you can make informed decisions. The visit establishes a baseline chart and helps determine an individualized schedule for cleanings, monitoring or treatment. If treatment or referral is recommended, the team will outline options that favor conservative, evidence-based care.
Frequency of oral exams depends on individual risk factors such as gum health, history of decay, medical conditions and lifestyle habits. Many adults benefit from twice-yearly checkups, but patients with periodontal disease, high caries risk or certain medical conditions may need more frequent monitoring to maintain health. Your dental team will recommend an interval that balances preventive care with efficient monitoring to catch issues early.
Consistent exams allow progressive changes to be identified when treatment can be simpler and less invasive, which aligns with a conservative philosophy of care. Regular visits also provide opportunities for reinforcement of homecare techniques and for hygienists to address plaque and calculus that are difficult to remove at home. A personalized schedule supports long-term stability and helps minimize the need for extensive restorative work.
An oral cancer screening is an integral part of routine oral exams and involves a thorough inspection and palpation of the lips, tongue, floor of mouth, cheeks, palate and neck for unusual lumps, ulcers or color changes. The clinician looks for persistent lesions, nonhealing sores or firm areas that warrant further evaluation, and will ask about risk factors such as tobacco use, alcohol consumption and HPV exposure. If a suspicious area is found, the practice documents findings, discusses next steps and may arrange for biopsy or medical referral.
Early detection of oral cancer greatly improves treatment options and outcomes, which is why screenings are performed at every comprehensive checkup. Patients are encouraged to report any persistent oral changes between visits so the team can assess them promptly. The screening is quick, noninvasive and performed with the same preventive intent as the rest of the exam.
Oral exams evaluate tissues and functions that can reflect systemic health, such as gum inflammation, mucosal changes, saliva quality and healing capacity. Conditions like diabetes, nutritional deficiencies and autoimmune disorders often produce early signs in the mouth, including gum disease, slow wound healing or mucosal lesions that the clinician can detect during routine evaluation. Noting these patterns enables timely communication with your medical providers when further investigation is appropriate.
Dental professionals also assess habits and functional issues such as bruxism and airway concerns that can impact both oral health and overall well-being. By identifying wear patterns, TMJ dysfunction or signs of sleep-related breathing problems, the team can recommend interventions or referrals to address contributing factors. This holistic perspective helps patients manage health comprehensively rather than treating isolated symptoms.
Digital radiography and other imaging tools complement the visual exam by revealing the health of roots, bone levels and interproximal areas that are not visible to the naked eye. Digital images provide high-resolution detail with very low radiation exposure and allow immediate review, comparison and storage for monitoring changes over time. The speed and clarity of digital imaging improve diagnostic confidence and make it easier to explain conditions to patients during the visit.
Advanced imaging supports conservative treatment planning by exposing the precise location and extent of disease, which helps limit intervention to the area that truly needs care. Digital records also facilitate secure sharing with specialists or medical colleagues when coordinated care is necessary. Ultimately, modern imaging enhances both the accuracy and efficiency of oral health assessment.
After reviewing clinical findings and diagnostic images, the dental team presents tailored options that prioritize prevention and preservation of natural tooth structure. Care plans are based on evidence, risk assessment and your personal priorities, and they can span simple monitoring and hygiene changes to targeted restorative treatments when necessary. The clinician explains the reasons for each recommendation and discusses what to expect so patients can make informed choices aligned with their goals.
Shared decision making is central to the process, with the team answering questions and offering realistic timelines and maintenance strategies. For complex needs, the practice coordinates referrals and provides documentation to support interdisciplinary care. This patient-centered approach helps maintain long-term oral health while minimizing invasive procedures.
Professional cleanings remove plaque and calculus in places that are difficult to reach with home care alone, reducing bacterial load and lowering the risk of cavities and periodontal disease. During the same visit, hygienists offer practical, hands-on instruction for brushing and interdental cleaning and tailor advice to your dexterity, appliances or restorations. Education focuses on realistic, sustainable habits that support long-term oral health rather than generic recommendations.
These combined services reinforce the findings of the oral exam and form the backbone of preventive care by addressing underlying causes rather than just symptoms. Regular reinforcement of technique and periodic reassessment help patients maintain improvements and prevent recurrence of disease. For parents, cleanings and coaching establish healthy routines early and allow monitoring of growth and development in children.
Oral exams are safe and appropriate for patients of all ages, and early visits help establish a preventive foundation and positive dental experiences for children. The American and pediatric dental guidelines generally recommend a first dental visit by the appearance of the first tooth or by the child’s first birthday, at which point clinicians assess development, feeding patterns and risk factors. Early exams allow the team to offer anticipatory guidance on hygiene, fluoride use and habits that influence dental development.
For growing children, examinations also monitor eruption patterns, bite relationships and potential orthodontic concerns so intervention can occur at the most effective time. Routine pediatric exams emphasize gentle, minimally invasive care and parent education to reduce future treatment needs. Early and consistent preventive care supports healthy smiles through adolescence and into adulthood.
To prepare, bring an updated list of medications, relevant medical history and any recent imaging or records if you are transferring care, and be ready to discuss symptoms, oral habits and your dental priorities. If you are a new patient, arriving a few minutes early to complete forms and share history helps the visit start smoothly, and notifying the office of any medical changes before the appointment allows appropriate precautions. Patients wearing orthodontic appliances, removable prosthetics or clear aligners should bring them to the visit so the clinician can evaluate fit and function.
If you are visiting our Mountain View office for the first time, let the team know about any anxieties or special needs so staff can ensure a comfortable experience. Clear communication about pain, sensitivity or sleep-related symptoms helps the clinician focus the exam on your most important concerns. Prepared patients and an open dialogue lead to more productive visits and personalized care plans.
Ready to schedule your next dental appointment or have questions about our services?
Contacting Hearth Dental Practice is easy! Our friendly staff is available to assist you with scheduling appointments, answering inquiries about treatment options, and addressing any concerns you may have. Whether you prefer to give us a call, send us an email, or fill out our convenient online contact form, we're here to help. Don't wait to take the first step towards achieving the smile of your dreams – reach out to us today and discover the difference personalized dental care can make.
