How Often Should You Visit the Dentist?

Most dental professionals recommend scheduling your preventive dental exams and cleanings every six months. These visits enable our team to detect early signs of oral health concerns, such as tooth decay and gum disease, preventing them from progressing and requiring more extensive treatments down the road. If, however, you have periodontal (gum) disease or are at a higher risk of developing cavities, we may recommend more frequent care.

What Can You Expect During Your Visits?

Here is a look at what you can expect during your twice-yearly dental visits:

• Digital X-rays: Low radiation digital X-ray images help uncover hidden problems between your teeth and beneath their surfaces. These include early decay, bone loss, tooth root problems, impacted teeth, and so much more.
• CBCT Scan: We may recommend capturing 3D images with our cutting-edge CBCT unit if needed. The intricate images allow for a closer evaluation of your teeth and oral structures, including your tooth roots, sinuses, bone, soft tissues, nerve pathways, and airway, ensuring an accurate diagnosis and targeted care.
• Comprehensive Exam:We will thoroughly evaluate every aspect of your oral health, including your teeth, gums, alignment of your bite, and existing dental restorations. Our goal is to uncover any problems as they develop, ensuring prompt treatment.
• Oral Cancer Screening:We perform quick and painless oral cancer screenings to rule out any abnormalities. The potentially life-saving screening can uncover the earliest signs of oral cancer, ensuring the best possible treatment outcomes.
• Personalized Treatment Plan: We will share our findings with you and develop a personalized treatment plan to address your unique needs. We always recommend the most conservative options to help you achieve and maintain a beautiful, healthy smile.
• Professional Dental Cleaning: We use an ultrasonic scaler to gently remove plaque, tartar, and surface tooth stains, leaving your smile clean and fresh. Regular dental cleanings have been shown to reduce the risk of tooth decay and gum disease.

Additional Preventive Services Offered by JW Dental

The following is a look at some additional preventive services we offer to strengthen and protect your smile:

• Fluoride Treatments: Professional fluoride applications help strengthen your tooth enamel, making it more resistant to cavities.
• Hydroxyapatite Application:Hydroxyapatite offers an alternative to fluoride, helping to remineralize your teeth, reduce tooth sensitivity, and lower your risk of cavities.
• Dental Sealants:We apply sealants to the permanent molars to smooth out pits and crevices on their chewing surfaces, providing a protective shield against cavities.
• PerioProtect Trays:This minimally invasive and highly effective treatment involves the use of custom trays to apply medication below the gum line where bacteria thrive, helping reduce inflammation and infection, and improving your overall gum health.
• Occlusal Guards:Wearing a custom-designed, protective oral appliance during sleep helps prevent the devastating impacts of nighttime grinding and clenching (bruxism), including uneven tooth wear, tooth fracture, and TMJ discomfort.

What Are the Benefits of Regular Preventive Care?

The following is a look at some of the benefits of regular preventive care:

• Regular exams help us identify oral health problems early, before they cause complications and require extensive treatment.
• Preventive care helps reduce the risk of gum disease and bone loss, protecting the foundation of your smile.
• Ongoing preventive care helps keep your teeth functional and your smile beautiful for life.
• Maintaining good oral health has been shown to lower your risk of serious health concerns, including heart disease, diabetes, and respiratory illnesses.
• Your professional dental cleanings help remove surface tooth stains, brightening your smile.