Helping our patients maintain a healthy mouth and smile is the main goal of general dentistry. We prefer to provide more minor, preventive care than to see patients suffer with more intensive treatments from a problem that was not managed in time. We want to ensure that your oral health is in its optimal state and positively contributing to the health of your entire body. We are here to brighten your smile and pave the way for a brighter life.
Oral Hygiene
It is important to brush your teeth at least twice daily to help remove plaque and food particles that get stuck to your teeth. It is recommended that you brush your teeth for two minutes (or longer), though most people rush through this time. You need to make sure that you reach every side of each tooth, including the inside and outside. To help keep your breath fresh, you should also brush your tongue. Then, you can begin flossing.
Professional Cleanings
Professional cleanings will remove the buildup of plaque and tartar. Then, your teeth are polished nicely. If you need it, fluoride will be applied to your teeth. We will also preserve any teeth that you have had restored.
Professional cleanings also give our dentists a chance to really look at your teeth. We will do a thorough examination to make sure that you don’t have any other problems that need to be addressed. We are hoping to catch any little problems before they become bigger ones!
Periodontal Treatment
Periodontal disease is very common in adults. It is caused by all of the bacteria in our mouth that forms form plaque on our teeth. Without routine brushing and flossing, it continues to build up, forming tartar.
People with periodontal disease can have red and swollen gums that often bleed quite easily. It may be hard to eat because their teeth are so sensitive. They may be missing teeth. Some people with periodontal disease have very bad breath.
Sealants
When we apply a dental sealant, we paint a plastic coating on top of your teeth. This makes your teeth smooth getting rid of the rough edges, depressions, and grooves that are commonly found on teeth. It is essentially a protective coating against tooth decay and cavities.
The most common place to paint sealants is on back teeth since they are often irregular. They can also be very hard to reach, even if you brush your teeth regularly. We use it more on children though we do perform sealants on adults too!
Fluoride Treatment
Here at All About Dentistry - Family and Emergency Care, we are proud to offer Silver Diamine Fluoride, or SDF, to our patients. SDF, as its name suggests, is made of silver, which helps kill bacteria. Like other fluorides, SDF helps to prevent cavities from forming or spreading to other teeth while helping with remineralization. By using SDF as opposed to other varnishes, our patients can avoid more frequent treatments as SDF is proven to be more successful at reducing the growth of cavities.