Preventive Dental Care

Cleanings

Regular cleanings by a registered dental hygienist are essential. Removing plaque and tarter improves your oral health and reduces your risk of developing gingivitis and periodontal disease. During your cleaning, your hygienist will use manual instruments to remove moderate plaque and tarter build-up, and an ultrasonic device to remove heavier amounts of build-up. Lastly, your hygienist will polish the surface of your teeth, to thoroughly clean and remove stains.

Exams

Even if you follow a strict oral hygiene regimen at home, you should still receive a dental exam and cleaning twice a year. Regular dental exams are very important. In fact, they are the key to maintaining good dental health. During dental exams, your dentist is able to detect any problems early; making treatment more efficient, easier and less expensive. During your dental exam, your dentist will:

• Examine your teeth for any signs of decay.
• Assess the health of your gums.
• Take and evaluate X-rays. X-rays can help identify decay, bone loss, tumors, abscesses and other problems.
• Provide an oral cancer screening.
• Evaluate existing fillings and other restorations to ensure they are intact.
• Discuss any dental problems and recommend treatment.

Tooth Decay Prevention

Tooth decay is a progressive disease resulting in the interaction of bacteria that naturally occur on the teeth and sugars in the everyday diet. Sugar causes a reaction in the bacteria, causing it to produce acids that break down the mineral in teeth, forming a cavity. Dentists remove the decay and fill the tooth using a variety of fillings, restoring the tooth to a healthy state. Nerve damage can result from severe decay and may require a crown (a crown is like a large filling that can cap a tooth, making it stronger or covering it). Avoiding unnecessary decay simply requires strict adherence to a dental hygiene regimen: brushing and flossing twice a day, regular dental checkups, diet control and fluoride treatment. Practicing good hygiene avoids unhealthy teeth and costly treatment.

Sealants

The grooves and depressions that form the chewing surfaces of the back teeth are extremely difficult (if not impossible) to clean of bacteria and food. As the bacteria reacts with the food, acids form and break down the tooth enamel, causing cavities. Recent studies indicate that 88 percent of total cavities in American school children are caused this way.

Tooth sealants protect these susceptible areas by sealing the grooves and depressions, preventing bacteria and food particles from residing in these areas. Sealant material is a resin typically applied to the back teeth, molars and premolars and areas prone to cavities. It lasts for several years but needs to be checked during regular appointments.

Fluoride

Fluoride is a substance that helps teeth become stronger and resistant to decay. Regularly drinking water treated with fluoride and brushing and flossing regularly ensures significantly lower cavities. Dentists can evaluate the level of fluoride in a primary drinking water source and recommend fluoride supplements (usually in tablets or drops), if necessary.

Thumb Sucking

Sucking is a natural reflex that relaxes and comforts babies and toddlers. Children usually cease thumb sucking when the permanent front teeth are ready to erupt. Typically, children stop between the ages of 2 and 4 years. Thumb sucking that persists beyond the eruption of primary teeth can cause improper growth of the mouth and misalignment of the teeth. If you notice prolonged and/or vigorous thumb sucking behavior in your child, talk to your dentist.

Here are some ways to help your child outgrow thumb sucking:

• Don’t scold a child when they exhibit thumb sucking behavior; instead, praise them when they don’t thumb suck.
• Focus on eliminating the cause of anxiety—thumb sucking is a comfort device that helps children cope with stress or discomfort.
• Praise them when they refrain from the habit during difficult periods.
• Place a bandage on the thumb or a sock on their hand at night.

We accept many types of Dental Insurance. To be confident you should call the Our Dental Office at 1-215-969-2015 to verify whether or not we take the type of insurance you have.