Please read through the following preventative dentistry treatments to learn how frequently they can be utilized and each service’s many benefits.
Professional Cleanings & Exams
In addition to brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash to clean your teeth each day, the American Dental Association recommends that each person see the dentist every six months for a professional cleaning and exam. Cleanings entail using an instrument called a scaler to remove plaque and tartar buildup. Plaque is a white sticky substance that builds up when brushing doesn’t occur. Tartar is plaque that becomes hardened after sitting on your teeth long enough.
After the plaque and tartar is removed, we use a high-powered, rubber-tipped brush with paste to scrub and polish each surface of your teeth. To finalize your cleaning, we floss your teeth to remove any leftover plaque or polishing paste.
Once your teeth are cleaned, the dentist will perform your complete oral examination. Your exam will consist of the dentist searching for decay, looking at x-rays, and possibly identifying any issues that need to be addressed or overseen. Both the cleaning and exam will help any decay from spreading and prevent new decay from occurring.
Sealants
On the chewing surfaces of our back teeth are the areas that are highly susceptible to decay due to their frequent interactions with food and being in hard to reach areas. Dental sealants are a special coating for the deep pits and fissures in the tooth where food would generally get stuck. The sealant material is a liquid dental plastic that is hardened with a curing light after placing it onto the tooth crevices.
Commonly, dental sealants are given to children from the ages of 6-12 because that’s when the molars and premolars have fully erupted. In many cases, we highly recommend getting your child dental sealants to help prevent cavities. If you or any other adult in your family would like a sealant, we offer them to patients of all ages.
If you have had a sealant in the past and would like another one to help fight decay, please give our office a call.
Fluoride
The natural mineral fluoride is known to strengthen the outer layer of our teeth, known as the enamel. When the enamel becomes weak, it is easier for decay to puncture the tooth and cause decay. After each dental cleaning, we offer a fluoride varnish treatment that Dr. Savabi will paint onto your teeth to strengthen the enamel and prevent decay.
Our fluoride treatment is powerful, and we only recommend using small doses of fluoride here at our office. Still, there are other ways to access small amounts of fluoride so you can constantly strengthen your teeth. Fluoride can be found in toothpaste, mouthwashes, and most city water. We encourage our patients to take advantage of these small doses of fluoride.
Keep Your Smile Healthy With Preventative Dentistry
Preventative dental treatments are designed to give you an effortless way to maintain a healthy smile. If you are due for a dental cleaning and examination, please call our office, Madison Ave Dental. We can also help educate you more on the details revolving around each one of our preventative treatments. The more you protect your teeth against decay, the stronger they will be and the longer they will last you.