Proactive Preventive Dentistry in Portland, OR

Preventive dentistry is the area of dentistry aimed to help people prevent oral disease and its further development. Preventive dentistry includes not just in-office dental care, but at-home treatments as well.

Some examples of at-home treatments include:

  • Regular brushing– the American Dental Association (ADA) recommends brushing two times a day and directly after meals, when possible
  • Regular flossing– the ADA recommends flossing at least once a day
  • Rinsing with anti-bacterial mouth wash– recommended after each brushing

Proper brushing is an essential part in preventive dentistry. The proper way to brush your teeth is to use a soft nylon toothbrush with round-ended bristles. Next, both the tooth surface and the gum line should be brushed by placing the brush at a 45-degree angle along the gum line and brushing gently in a rolling back-and-forth motion on the surface of the teeth. When brushing you should cover the inner surfaces of your teeth and then tilt the brush in order to brush the front teeth. The ideal brushing technique also involves the brushing of the tongue. Brushing should last until all teeth a gum lines have been thoroughly brushed.

Receiving regular dental cleanings and exams is crucial in keeping your mouth healthy and your smile beautiful. This routine preventive care helps our dentist to monitor your oral health and provide prompt treatment for any developing problems.

Dental Exam

A comprehensive dental exam is performed at your initial dental visit. Regular check-up exams include the following:

  • Examination of diagnostic x-rays (radiographs): Essential for detection of decay, tumors, cysts, and bone loss. X-rays also help determine tooth and root positions.
  • Oral cancer screening: Check the face, neck, lips, tongue, throat, tissues, and gums for any signs of oral cancer or other abnormalities.
  • Gum disease evaluation: Check the gums and bone around the teeth for any signs of periodontal disease.
  • Examination of tooth decay: All tooth surfaces will be checked for decay.
  • Examination of existing restorations and appliances: Check current fillings, crowns, dental implants, dentures, partial dentures, orthodontic retainers, night guards to prevent tooth grinding damage and bridges.

Professional Dental Cleaning

Professional dental cleanings (dental prophylaxis) are performed by Registered Dental Hygienists. Your cleaning appointment will include a dental exam and the following:

  • Removal of calculus (tartar): Calculus is hardened plaque that has been left on the tooth for some time and is now firmly attached to the tooth surface. Calculus forms above and below the gum line and can only be removed with dental instruments.
  • Removal of plaque: Plaque is a sticky, almost invisible film that forms on the teeth. It is a growing colony of living bacteria, food debris, and saliva. The bacteria produce toxins (metabolic bi-products) that inflame the gums. This inflammation is the start of periodontal disease!
  • Teeth polishing: Remove stain and plaque that is not otherwise removed during tooth brushing and scaling.
  • Education: During your visits you can count on candid discussions about your dental needs. You will receive a customized treatment plan to help you accomplish your dental health goals. Your dental hygienist and Gilbert dentist will listen and address your concerns.

Cleanings and Prevention

Always remember that carefully brushing, flossing, and consuming healthy foods can keep your smile healthy and beautiful. Dental cleanings and exams from your dental office can also prevent problems like cavities, tartar build-up, and periodontal disease. Dental cleanings help remove hardened deposits of tartar, and regular dental exams can catch the early signs of periodontal disease.

More preventative actions and treatments include sealants and fluoride. These can help protect teeth, and actually prevent cavities and other permanent damage to teeth.

Prevention helps avoid serious and costly dental problems and is the key to having a healthy, confident, beautiful smile.

Dental X-Rays

Dental radiographs (x-rays) are preventative, diagnostic tools that provide valuable information not visible during a regular dental exam. Dentists and dental hygienists use this information to safely and accurately detect hidden dental abnormalities and complete an accurate treatment plan. Without x-rays, problem areas may go undetected.

Dental x-rays may reveal:

  • Abscesses or cysts.
  • Bone loss.
  • Cancerous and non-cancerous tumors.
  • Decay between the teeth.
  • Developmental abnormalities.
  • Congenitally missing teeth
  • Poor tooth and root positions.
  • Problems inside a tooth or below the gum line.

Are dental x-rays really safe?

Dental x-rays produce a low level of radiation and are considered extremely safe. Dentists take necessary precautions to limit the patient’s exposure to radiation when taking dental x-rays. It is important to note, that we are all exposed to natural radiation in our environment, and the amount of radiation exposure from a full mouth series of x-rays is equal to the amount a person receives in a single day naturally. To help reduce the amount of exposure from dental x-rays, we only use digital x-rays in our office and we take the minimum amount of films to properly care for you and your family.
How often should dental x-rays be taken?

The need for dental x-rays depends on each patient’s individual dental health needs. Your dentist and dental hygienist will recommend necessary x-rays based on the review of your medical and dental history, dental exam, signs and symptoms, age consideration, and risk for disease.

A full mouth series of dental x-rays is recommended for new patients. A full series is updated every 3-5 years. Bite-wing x-rays (x-rays of top and bottom teeth biting together) are taken at check-up visits and are recommended once or twice a year to detect new dental problems. Periapical X-rays are taken to show the roots of the tooth.

Sealants are invisible plastic coatings that fill the tiny grooves in the teeth in the back of your mouth so bacteria doesn’t have a place to settle. They help prevent cavities from forming and the need for fillings later on.

If your teeth are at greater risk for developing cavities, we can provide you with dental sealants to help block decay-causing bacteria and protect your teeth. Sealants are a fast and highly effective way to prevent tooth decay and keep your smile healthy.

Fluoride strengthens teeth and prevents tooth decay. Fluoride treatments are provided in dental offices, and dentists recommend using fluoride toothpastes, and mouth rinses at home. Flouride is even added to public drinking water. Fluoride can even reverse tiny cavities that are starting to form.

Teeth are covered in a hard, outer coating called enamel. Every day, a thin film of bacteria called dental plaque builds up on your teeth. The bacteria in plaque produce acids that can begin to harm enamel. Over time, the acids can cause a hole in the enamel. This hole is called a cavity. Brushing and flossing your teeth can protect you from decay, but once a cavity happens, a dentist has to fix it.

You can protect your teeth from decay by using fluoride toothpaste. If you are at a higher risk for tooth decay (for example, if you have a dry mouth because of medicines you take), you might need more fluoride. Your dentist or dental hygienist may give you a fluoride treatment during an office visit, or the dentist may tell you to use a fluoride gel or mouth rinse at home.

A nightguard is a custom-made acrylic mouthpiece that is worn to protect the teeth from grinding (bruxing) or clenching, mostly occurring during sleep. Many people clench and/or grind their teeth and may not even know it. Some people do this every night, and some only do this occasionally. Occasional grinding does not usually cause harm. When grinding occurs on a continual basis, the teeth can be badly damaged and cause other oral health complications. Chronic grinding can also affect your jaw, resulting in possible hearing loss, cause or worsen TMJ, and even change the appearance of your face. At our office we believe there’s no reason not to have beautiful teeth at the age of 80, but it must begin by preventing wear on teeth starting years sooner.

Sportguards are custom made and prescribed by your dentist to provide a better fit. They are typically worn during sports activities to help protect against broken teeth.

BOOK AN APPOINTMENT