Preventative Services
ORAL HEALTH MAINTENANCE
Everyone knows that they should have their teeth cleaned every six months, but did you know that not keeping up with dental cleanings can affect you in other areas as well? Recently, overall dental health (specifically gum health) has been linked to diabetes and heart disease and even the increased risk of a stroke.
Never has it been more important to keep up to date with your dental hygiene visits! If you think you may be overdue, contact us to schedule an appointment and we will get you back on track right away.
PERIODONTAL MAINTENANCE
Research has shown that periodontal disease is associated with several other diseases. For a long time it was thought that bacteria was the factor that linked periodontal disease to other disease in the body; however, more recent research demonstrates that inflammation may be responsible for the association. Therefore, treating inflammation may not only help manage periodontal diseases but may also help with the management of other chronic inflammatory conditions.
Patients who have been diagnosed with periodontal disease require more rigorous hygiene maintenance. This includes excellent home care and hygiene visits every three or four months. Our team is trained in all the most up-to-date periodontal treatment modalities including deep cleanings, laser disinfection, and localized antibiotic therapy.
COMPLETE ORAL EXAMS
When you first step foot into our office you can expect to have an extremely thorough checkup and cleaning. We use digital x-rays to get information about your teeth and bones with minimal radiation as compared to “film”. We measure and assess the gum tissues and perform an oral cancer screening. We take intraoral photos and any other records that may be needed to develop a treatment plan that is customized to your dental needs and budget.
PERIODONTAL EXAMS
Periodontal exams are performed at your initial visit as well as once every 12-18 months. We measure the pockets on six different sites around every single tooth and document if/where gums are bleeding. Routine periodontal charting is invaluable information that helps us target areas of concern before gum inflammation becomes irreversible bone loss.
ORAL CANCER SCREENINGS
Our doctors are trained to examine the oral tissues for signs of cancer. We visually examine the gums, tongue, palate, and use x-rays to assess the jaw bones. The incidence of oral cancer in young, non-smokers is rising due to HPV. A dental checkup every six months helps us to spot areas of concern before they spread.
FLUORIDE
Fluoride is a mineral that is applied topically and makes enamel strong. We offer a Sodium Fluoride (NaF) varnish to help prevent tooth decay or as a treatment for tooth sensitivity.
Dr Torres-Friedmann also offers Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF). SDF is another topically applied fluoride product that stops decay. This is a wonderful treatment option for little ones who may be too young to cooperate with dental fillings or for to keep baby teeth from decaying further before they are lost naturally. SDF can also be used to treat sensitivity and stop decay in non-esthetic areas like the edges of molar crowns.
SEALANTS
A dental sealant is a plastic coating applied to the chewing surfaces of back teeth. Grooves in these teeth are so narrow that a toothbrush cannot fit into the spaces to remove plaque and debris. Sealants can provide 100% protection from dental decay or “cavities” on the chewing surface.
Sealants are typically recommended for molars (the large chewing teeth at the back), but can be applied to any tooth that has a deep pit or groove that may be difficult to clean.
For those concerned, our sealants are BPA FREE. While we don’t know everything about BPA and its effects on our overall health, why take the risk if we don’t need to? We aim to provide peace of mind of for you and the best quality care for your children.