Category: General & Preventive Dentistry

Although plaque and tartar are closely related, they’re not the same thing—and understanding the difference is an important part of protecting your smile. At Heather J. Petroff, DDS, we help patients throughout Broadview Heights, OH learn how plaque develops, why it hardens into tartar, and why a professional dental cleaning,… Read More…

Both fluoride treatments and dental sealants are effective tools for cavity prevention, but they protect children’s teeth in different ways. Fluoride treatments strengthen tooth enamel and help make teeth more resistant to decay, while dental sealants create a protective barrier over the deep grooves where cavities commonly develop. In this… Read More…

Many dental concerns begin beneath the surface, long before they cause pain or visible symptoms. Dental X-rays allow your dentist to detect hidden dental problems such as cavities between teeth, bone loss, infections, impacted teeth, and early signs of gum disease that may not be visible during a visual exam… Read More…

Maintaining healthy gums is an important part of preventive dental care, but not every cleaning serves the same purpose. While a routine dental cleaning helps remove plaque and tartar to keep your smile healthy, a deep cleaning and periodontal therapy are designed to address active gum disease and infection beneath… Read More…

Many patients think dental exams focus only on teeth and gums. In reality, routine dental exams in Broadview Heights also include checks of the soft tissues throughout the mouth. One important part of that visit is an oral cancer screening, which helps dentists look for unusual tissue changes early, before… Read More…

Gum disease is far more common than many people realize—and it often progresses quietly. For patients noticing bleeding gums, tenderness, or changes in their smile, it’s natural to wonder whether those symptoms can be managed at home or if professional care is truly necessary. Understanding how periodontal therapy works can… Read More…

Sometimes, despite our best efforts to save a tooth, an extraction becomes unavoidable. At Heather J. Petroff, DDS, we understand that dental emergencies don’t always happen at convenient times. That’s why our team is here to provide same-day emergency tooth extractions in Broadview Heights when you need relief fast. Whether… Read More…

Dental emergencies never seem to happen at a good time—but that doesn’t mean you have to wait for care. At Heather J. Petroff, DDS, our same-day emergency dentist in Broadview Heights is here to help when pain, swelling, or damage can’t wait until tomorrow. Whether it’s a sudden toothache, broken… Read More…

Tooth pain is never something to ignore. Your teeth and gums don’t ache for no reason—the discomfort is your body’s way of signaling that something is wrong. While mild sensitivity might be manageable with at-home care and a scheduled dental appointment, severe tooth pain is different. It often indicates a… Read More…

If you’ve recently lost a tooth or are noticing changes in the way you chew or speak, you may be wondering when you need a dental bridge. At Heather J Petroff DDS  in Broadview Heights, Dr. Heather Petroff helps patients recognize the early signs of tooth loss and offers customized… Read More…