Preventive Dental Services We believe that being proactive with regular cleanings is the most beneficial and cost effective approach to take with oral health. Why not prolong the health of your teeth and avoid cavities and decay for as long as possible? Working to Prevent Problems Teeth Cleaning- 2 or 3 Times Per Year is Recommended Regular teeth cleaning (Prophylaxis) by a dental hygienist is recommended to remove tartar (mineralized plaque) that may develop even with careful brushing and flossing, especially in areas that are difficult for a patient to reach at home. Professional cleaning also includes tooth scaling and tooth polishing that removes rough surfaces that bacteria can easliy attch to. This involves the use of various instruments or devices to loosen and remove deposits from the teeth. Some insurance carriers allow for 3 cleanings per year which is beneficial in preventing plaque build up and gum disease. Dental Sealants- Preventive Barriers for Cavities Sealants are applied to teeth to help prevent cavities. They are a clear or tinted plastic protective coating painted onto the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. These are the areas where most cavities form. View More Information from the ADA About Sealants. PDF. Flouride- Nature's Cavity Fighter Flouride is a mineral that helps reduce the number of caries (destruction of teeth) in the mouth. Flouride helps strengthen the surface of tooth enamel and can be applied through many toothpastes and mouthrinses as well as through foams and varnishes applied in our office. Systemic fluoride is intended to be ingested. This form includes fluoridated water and dietary fluoride supplements, such as tablets, drops or lozenges. View Information from the ADA About Flouride. PDF. Annual Exams- Catching Problems in Early Stages A check-up performed to monitor any development of problems or potential problems in the mouth. Each tooth surface is checked for cracks, decay and other conditions. The mouth and gums are also checked. X-rays are also commonly taken to reveiw tooth and root integrity. Annual exams allow the opportunity to catch a developing problem in the early stages, making corrective treatments as minimal as possible. Comprehensive Examination Every 3 to 5 Years: Head and neck- A check of the head and neck, temporomandibular (jaw) joint, salivary glands, and lymph nodes in your neck area. Face- A look at the face, neck and lips to make sure there are no abnormalities, lip dryness, bleeding or other problems that need to be checked further. Soft tissue- A look at the tongue, the inside of the lips and cheeks, and the floor and roof of the mouth. Spots, cuts, swellings, growths or other abnormal areas may indicate problems with oral health. Periodontal- A periodontal examination involves checking the gums and supporting structures of the teeth. Redness or puffiness and bleeding may indicate gum disease. A special probe is used to measure the depth of the pockets between your teeth and your gums. Pockets deeper than 3 millimeters often indicate periodontal disease. Bite- A look at how well your teeth fit together by examining your bite. This can assist in preventing TMJ, grinding, and other problems that can arise from an improper bite. Teeth- A thorough exam of every tooth surface looking for decay. Fillings, permanent bridges, crowns or other restorations, are checked to make certain that they are sound and that the teeth around them have no sign of decay. X-rays- X-rays, also called radiographs, will be taken to help look for decay (cavities) or other oral health problems that cannot be seen during the clinical exam. X-rays also provide the best way to see a need for root canal treatment, or bone loss that may indicate advanced gum disease. Scaling and Root Planing for healthier gums Scaling and root planing is a form of treatment for periodontal (gum) disease. Scaling is the removal of calculus (also called tartar) and plaque that attach to the tooth surfaces. The process especially targets the area below the gum line, along the root. Plaque is more likely to stick to rough surfaces. For this reason, the root surface is smoothed down in a process called root planing. Root planing removes any remaining calculus and smoothes irregular areas of the root surface. Bacteria cause periodontal disease. For early stages of the disease, this treatment may be all that is needed to get the condition under control. This is especially effective with gingivitis. With more advanced gum disease, scaling and root planing may be the first step before surgery. Oral Irrigation with Root Planing or Periodontal Maintenance Oral irrigators can reach 3-4 mm under the gum line, farther than toothbrushes and floss. The jet stream is strong enough to remove all plaque and tartar. The procedure leaves a feeling of cleanliness and freshness, and disrupts more plaque or bacteria than floss since it cleans deeper.