Preventive Dental Care in FORT WORTH
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Did you know…
Dental sealants should be placed at 6 and 12 years old, to protect both sets of permanent molars from cavities.
WHAT TO EXPECT AT YOUR PREVENTATIVE DENTAL CARE APPOINTMENT
ORAL EXAM
Dr. Calvin Eastwood will examine your teeth and gums to check for signs of tooth decay, gum disease, and oral cancer.
Necessary X-Rays
If problems are detected or if you have reported symptoms of a specific issue, we may take x-rays to get a closer look at your teeth. X-rays can reveal infections, pulp damage, and gum disease.
DENTAL CLEANING
We will clean, floss, and polish your teeth. During a cleaning, we remove the buildup of plaque and tartar from the gum line.
FLUORIDE VARNISH
Fluoride varnish is typically applied to the teeth following a dental cleaning. This protects the teeth from cavities.
FOLLOW-UP APPOINTMENTS
If we’ve detected active oral health problems, we may need you to return for follow-up appointments to complete your treatment.
Preventive Treatment Options
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Cleaning & Hygiene
The ADA recommends that you return to the dentist every 6 months for regular dental cleanings and checkups. This greatly reduces your risk of tooth decay and gum disease while promoting early detection of these issues.
When caught early enough, these issues can be reversed. During a dental cleaning, we use a scaler to remove plaque and tartar from the gum line. We then clean and polish your teeth and floss away any food particles or left-behind toothpaste.
We’ll also perform an oral exam to look for signs of decay, gum disease, and oral cancer. If necessary, we will take x-rays to look for tooth infections, impacted teeth, or other issues.
Fluoride Treatments
Fluoride contains minerals such as calcium and phosphates which strengthen your tooth enamel. We recommend receiving fluoride treatments at least every 6 months to protect your teeth from cavities.
The fluoride restores minerals to the teeth for stronger enamel that is more resistant to acid attacks that form cavities. Fluoride does more than just prevent cavities, they can also reverse early-stage decay.
Dental Sealants
Sealants are resin coatings that are placed on the rear molars for cavity protection. We recommend having them placed as soon as the first and second permanent molars come in.
These teeth have a considerable amount of pits and fissures that can make it difficult to thoroughly remove food particles, making them more vulnerable to cavities. Dental sealants make the surfaces of these teeth smoother and easier to clean while sealing out bacterial plaque and acids.
Periodontal CarE
You can stop the spread of gum disease with periodontal cleanings. The first stage of gum disease, gingivitis, is reversible when caught early enough. By practicing good oral hygiene at home and getting a traditional dental cleaning, we can restore your gum health without any permanent soft tissue damage or bone loss.
However, if left untreated, it will develop into irreversible periodontitis. In this case, you’ll need a deep cleaning. Deep cleaning involves scaling and root planing. We scale away plaque and tartar buildup, even going below the gum line, and then smooth out the tooth’s roots. This needs to be done before gum disease progresses into an advanced stage, in which case oral surgery may be needed.
Oral Cancer Screenings
A crucial part of preventive care includes oral cancer screenings. Catching oral cancer in its early stages before it spreads and becomes more serious can save a patient's life. Your dentist can detect early signs by performing an oral exam at your biannual dental appointments.
By examining your mouth, gums, and oral tissues, your dentist will look for discolored patches, lumps, growths, and other similar abnormalities. A biopsy can be taken and sent to a specialist for further analysis, or your dentist will refer you to a specialist directly, in the rare case that an issue is found. Your dentist will become familiar with your oral health if you visit consistently, which will allow them to more easily notice when there may be something wrong.
Did you know…
Dental sealants protect the teeth from 80% of cavities in the first 2 years.
Have questions about preventive dentistry? Find answers here.
How should I properly brush my teeth?
Brush your teeth at least twice a day for two minutes each time for a healthy smile. Start by holding your brush at a 45-degree angle to your teeth and gums. Using small, circular strokes, clean the front, back, and chewing surfaces of each tooth. Each quadrant of your mouth only needs about 30 seconds of proper brushing. Don’t forget to replace your toothbrush or electric toothbrush head every 3-4 months, and to use an ADA-approved toothpaste with fluoride.
How do you floss correctly?
Roll out 18-24 inches of floss and wind most of it around the index or middle finger of one of your hands. Then, wind the last few inches around the index or middle finger of your opposite hand.
Pinch a 1-inch section of floss between your fingers and gently move this section of floss between your teeth with a rocking motion. Once the floss reaches your gum line, hug the floss against one of your teeth to create a “c” shape and move it up and down to dislodge plaque and bacteria. Repeat this motion against the next tooth to clean both sides of the gum.
Finish by gently removing the floss from between your teeth. Wind a new 1-inch section of floss between your fingers, move to the next tooth, and repeat.
What's the difference between prophylactic cleanings and periodontal cleanings?
Prophylactic cleanings are the regular cleanings you get every 6 months at your dental appointments, which are required by all patients. Your dentist or dental hygienist will remove plaque, tartar and bacteria from your teeth, buff and polish them, and then floss your teeth to remove any residual debris during these cleanings.
Periodontal cleanings, also known as “deep cleanings”, are only needed for patients who have periodontal or gum disease. This treatment is done in two appointments, as half of your mouth is cleaned at each appointment. By scraping away plaque and tartar between your teeth and gums, your dentist will smooth the roots of your teeth to eliminate pockets that trap bacteria. Unless you have gum disease, a periodontal cleaning isn’t required.
Is preventive care covered by dental insurance?
Usually, dental insurance policies cover 100% of basic preventive care. Many cover at least a certain portion of the cost. Preventive care treatments include prophylactic teeth cleanings every 6 months, any necessary x-rays (usually once a year), and an annual or biannual dental exam performed by your dentist. Dental insurance policies may also cover the cost of optional preventive treatments, like dental sealants and fluoride treatments for children.
Insurance policies do differ, and it’s up to the patient to understand their coverage. Consult with your provider so you know exactly what’s covered and what will likely be out-of-pocket.
Did you know…
The average person smiles 40 times a day.
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