Preventive

Dental exams provide dentists the opportunity to take a thorough look at a patient’s mouth and teeth. During a patient’s first visit with a dentist, a comprehensive dental exam will be performed, during which the dentist will create a record of all existing dental restorations and signs of decay. This will serve as a dental history and help in the planning of your dental treatment. Periodic dental exams at follow-up appointments are also important to detect the earliest signs of disease or decay.

During a dental exam, you can expect the following:

1. The dentist will systematically look at the surfaces of each tooth for signs of tooth decay.
2. The dentist will also examine your existing fillings, crowns, and other dental restorations. Dental restorations must also be well-maintained so decay will not recur.
3. The dentist may ask you to take X-rays. X-rays are valuable sources of information for the dentist, providing views of what is not visible with the naked eye. X-rays help show the positioning of your teeth and their roots, as well as signs of deeper infections, decay, tumors, and bone loss.
4. The dentist will evaluate the health of your gums and the bone surrounding your teeth for signs of periodontal disease, such as inflammation of the gums.
5. The dentist will check for signs of oral cancer. Your face, lips, cheeks, mouth, tongue, and throat will be inspected for lumps and sores.

Regular in-office dental cleaning, or oral prophylaxis, is important no matter how meticulous you are with regular brushing and flossing. During your dental cleaning, your teeth will have plaque and tartar removed, and then they will be polished.

Plaque is a film that develops naturally on your teeth, providing a home to naturally present, normally harmless microorganisms in your mouth. However, plaque should not be allowed to build up. Plaque buildup provides an environment for bacteria and pathogens to flourish. These bacteria produce chemicals which inflame the gums, leading to gingivitis and other forms of gum disease.

When allowed to proliferate over time, plaque can also mineralize and harden to form tartar, or calculus. Tartar can form above and below the gum line and is difficult to remove without the use of special dental instruments. However, allowing tartar to remain on your teeth can lead to gingivitis and periodontitis.

At Dente Care Center, your teeth will be cleaned with the aid of an ultrasonic dental scaler. This specialized machine uses sound waves to clean your teeth, gently yet effectively removing plaque and tartar from the surfaces of your teeth and gums. After your cleaning, your teeth will then be polished, removing stains and leaving your teeth clean and feeling smooth.

Premolars (bicuspids) and molars have uneven chewing surfaces with pits and fissures. These grooves in the teeth may be very deep and difficult to clean. Sealants may be recommended to prevent decay from forming within these fissures. The sealant itself is a thin layer of clear or white plastic that seals these deep grooves, making it easier to keep the tooth clean and thus discouraging the buildup of cavity-causing bacteria.

Occasionally, sealants will be recommended on “baby teeth” if the fissures on the primary bicuspids are very deep. However, most often, sealants are recommended for application on permanent bicuspids and permanent molars since they tend to be the most difficult to keep clean. It is best to apply sealants as soon as possible after they grow in so there is no opportunity for dental caries to begin forming. Permanent first molars are often called the 6 year molars and show up at 5-7 years old. Permanent bicuspids show up from ages 10-12. And permanent second molars, the 12 year molars, show up from ages 11-14. This age group is highly prone to developing cavities, so sealants also provide extra time to develop healthier diets and proper dental hygiene habits.

Sometimes, adults also ask about sealants. Usually, if a tooth was not sealed and it lasted to adulthood without needing fillings or additional dental work, then a sealant is not necessary.

The process for applying a sealant is relatively quick. First, the tooth to be sealed is thoroughly cleaned and dried. Then, the chewing surface of the tooth is brushed with an acid which will gently etch the surface of the tooth. This provides a rougher surface onto which the sealant will hold. The tooth is again rinsed and dried very well. The sealant is then applied and cured with a dental light.

After the sealant is applied, the tooth can be used normally. Sealants generally last 5-10 years, although it is not unusual to see sealants last well into adulthood. Brush regularly and try to avoid chewing on hard or sticky foods to maintain the longevity of the sealant.