At the practice of Bayside Dental Group, we take a proactive approach to oral health because small, regular steps prevent bigger problems down the road. Regular oral examinations give your dental team the context they need to spot early warning signs, address developing conditions, and tailor care to your lifestyle. During an exam we combine careful observation, targeted diagnostics, and clear communication so you leave with an understandable plan rather than uncertainty. Our goal is to help you keep a comfortable, functional, and confident smile for years to come.
Your first comprehensive exam is designed to build a complete picture of your oral health. We begin by reviewing your medical and dental history and asking focused questions about any symptoms, medications, and habits that could influence care. This conversation helps us identify risk factors—such as dry mouth, bruxism (tooth grinding), or systemic conditions—that shape the exam and treatment priorities.
The clinical portion of the visit includes a methodical inspection of teeth, gums, and soft tissues, plus an evaluation of your bite and jaw function. We look for decay, early gum disease, wear patterns, and any unusual lesions in the mouth, head, or neck. When indicated, we also perform an oral cancer screening and a periodontal assessment to check gum health and bone support.
To complete the assessment we may recommend diagnostic images or other tests that reveal what can’t be seen by eye alone. After the exam, your clinician will explain findings in plain language, outline recommended next steps if any, and answer your questions so you can make informed choices about care. The emphasis is on prevention, timely intervention, and clear follow-up.
Oral health and systemic health are interconnected. Conditions that begin in the mouth—such as bacterial infections or chronic inflammation—can influence other parts of the body, and conversely, systemic diseases may present signs inside the oral cavity. During an exam we look for clues that could suggest broader health issues so we can coordinate care with your medical providers when appropriate.
Signs such as persistent gum inflammation, unusual oral lesions, or new patterns of tooth wear may indicate an underlying condition or a medication side effect. Early detection through routine exams allows us to recommend interventions that reduce risk and improve outcomes, whether that means focusing on periodontal therapy, modifying home care, or suggesting medical follow-up.
We also discuss lifestyle factors—nutrition, tobacco use, oral hygiene habits, and sleep-related breathing issues—that affect oral and overall health. Our approach is evidence-based and practical: we explain why a finding matters, what the realistic options are, and how sensible changes can produce measurable health benefits over time.
Regular checkups form the backbone of preventive dental care. Consistent visits allow us to monitor trends in your oral health rather than reacting to emergencies. This continuity helps catch small issues—such as a developing cavity or early gum disease—when they are simpler and less invasive to treat, preserving more of your natural tooth structure and reducing future complications.
Professional cleanings complement the exam by removing plaque and tartar from hard-to-reach areas and polishing surfaces to reduce staining and bacterial accumulation. Beyond the immediate cleanliness, these visits provide an opportunity for personalized coaching: we review your home care routine, recommend tools or techniques that suit your needs, and set realistic goals for improvement.
For children, preventive visits also include monitoring growth and jaw development and offering age-appropriate guidance to establish long-lasting habits. For adults, checkups can incorporate screening for wear from grinding, assessment of restorative work, and planning for maintenance or restorative treatments when needed. The relationship you build with your dental team during routine care makes future decisions straightforward and patient-centered.
Many important conditions lie beneath the surface—hidden between teeth, inside roots, or within bone. Diagnostic imaging gives us a window into those areas so we can detect decay between teeth, evaluate root health, and determine the support around each tooth. Imaging is an essential complement to the visual exam and supports confident diagnosis and treatment planning.
Modern digital radiography produces clear images quickly and with minimal radiation exposure. These images can be magnified, enhanced, and shared digitally, which aids accurate interpretation and patient education. Because images are stored in your electronic record, they allow us to compare changes over time and document treatment progress in a reliable way.
In selected cases we may recommend three-dimensional imaging to visualize complex anatomy, assess impacted or developing teeth, or plan surgical procedures with higher precision. The decision to use advanced imaging is made judiciously, balancing the clinical benefit against necessity, and always with an eye toward the safest, most effective care.
Different types of radiographs serve different clinical purposes. Periapical images focus on an individual tooth and its root, making them useful for evaluating root health and detecting abscesses. Bitewing films show the crowns of upper and lower teeth in a region and are especially helpful for finding cavities between teeth. A full-mouth series gives a comprehensive overview of all teeth and supporting structures.
Panoramic films (panorex) capture a broad, two-dimensional view of the entire mouth and jaws; they are useful for assessing impacted teeth, general bone contours, and large-scale growth or developmental issues. Cephalometric images provide a lateral profile view used primarily in orthodontic planning to analyze skeletal relationships and jaw alignment.
When precise three-dimensional detail is necessary—such as for implant planning, complex extractions, or evaluating structural abnormalities—cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) can provide volumetric images that show depth and spatial relationships. Each imaging technique has specific advantages, and we select the one that best answers the clinical question at hand.
When used appropriately, diagnostic images improve accuracy, reduce uncertainty, and contribute to predictable outcomes. We will explain why any recommended image is helpful, what information it provides, and how it informs your care plan.
In summary, regular oral examinations are a practical, evidence-based way to protect your oral and overall health. They combine careful clinical assessment, targeted imaging, preventive cleanings, and clear communication so you understand your current status and next steps. If you have questions or would like more information about our oral exam process, please contact us to speak with a member of our team.
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 Bayside Dental Group, 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 Bayside Dental Group, 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 Bayside Dental Group, 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 Bayside Dental Group 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 Bayside Dental Group.
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 Bayside Dental Group, 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 Bayside Dental Group 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 Bayside Dental Group, 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.
