Preventive Care: Digital x-rays, exam, cleaning, Sealants
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At Salado Creek Dental, we give the utmost importance to preventive dental treatments and checkups. This is because it is these routine screenings and minor, non-invasive treatments that can keep harmful dental infections at bay, making sure your teeth and gums remain healthy for life.
Digital X-rays:
Digital X-rays, or radiographs are intraoral images that can help dental professionals evaluate conditions that may be present below the gum where they cannot be seen with the naked eye. These x-rays play a vital role in creating a definitive diagnosis and thus form the basis of treatment planning. They can help determine the spread of infection, viability of tissues, health of the teeth below the gums, presence of impactions, retained teeth, bone abnormalities and cysts etc.
Dental Exams:
A routine dental checkup, also known as a dental exam, is basically just the evaluation of your oral health. Our team of dental professionals perform a thorough assessment of the oral cavity with the help of examination instruments like probes and mirrors. This is a painless and non-invasive approach. The purpose is to check the teeth and surrounding soft tissues for anything out of the ordinary – such as changes in color or texture. Apart from checking for caries and gum diseases, dental professionals also closely observe the mucosa for any early signs of oral cancer. If a suspicious lesion is observed, a biopsy may have to be performed for diagnosis and immediate treatment.
We recommend getting your oral cavity evaluated at least twice a year so we can keep checking for any tooth decay, gingivitis, dental alignment issues, impaction, or tumorous lesions. Prevention is better than cure, and an early diagnosis always means a better prognosis!
Cleaning:
In-office dental cleaning is known as a prophylaxis and is recommended for patients at least twice a year for optimal oral health. The procedure involves removal of food debris, bacteria and plaque that may have accumulated between or around the teeth due to improper brushing techniques. This accumulated mass can lead to the development of harmful gingival infections which can eventually result in early loss of teeth.
Sealants:
Dental sealant application is one of the most common, and the most effective practices in preventive dentistry. This non-invasive, painless procedure involves the application of a fine layer of resin-based restorative material on the occlusal surfaces of the molars (the largest teeth at the far back of the mouth). The biting surfaces of these teeth are most susceptible to decay because of the presence of natural grooves and fissures. A thin layer of dental filling material on the surface gives the tooth additional protection against caries-causing bacteria, making sure that the tooth remains healthy and disease-free for years at a stretch.
Routine dental checkups, cleaning and decay prevention treatments are important to ensure optimal health of your oral cavity. Book an appointment with the team at Salado Creek Dental today!
