preventivedentistry

6395 Dobbin Road, Suite 210 Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 997-9366

Preventive Services

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Listed below are a sampling of our preventive services.

Fluoride treatments
Tooth decay is an infectious and transmissible bacterial disease. When a person eats sugar, or other refined carbohydrates, some oral bacteria use this an energy to produce acid that removes minerals from the surface of the tooth, a process that is known as demineralization. If the demineralization process continues for a period of time, a cavity is formed. If fluoride is available, the demineralization process can be reversed or inhibited, thereby preventing the cavity. In addition, fluoride reduces the ability of the oral bacteria to produce acid.
Regular check up and cleanings
When a dentist or dental hygienist cleans your teeth they remove soft (plaque) and hard (tartar, calculus, or stains) deposits from your teeth. The primary purpose of having your teeth cleaned is to prevent or delay the progression of periodontal diseases. Professional dental care alone, however, is inadequate to prevent periodontal diseases. Smoking has been implicated in approximately 50% of periodontal disease cases in adults (Tomar 2000). Abstaining from tobacco use, maintaining good oral hygiene, and having your teeth cleaned professionally are the most effective ways to prevent periodontal diseases.
Sealants
Tooth decay often occurs on the chewing surface of back teeth. The good news is that sealants can offer major protection against cavities. A sealant is a plastic material that is usually applied to the chewing surfaces of back teeth-molars. The sealant bonds onto the tooth and acts as a barrier, protecting enamel from plaque and acids

Dental Radiographs (x-rays)
Many diseases of the teeth and surrounding tissues cannot be seen when your dentist examines your mouth. An x-ray examination may reveal small areas of decay between the teeth or below existing restorations (fillings), infections in the bone, periodontal (gum) disease, abscesses or cysts, developmental abnormalities, and some types of tumors. Finding and treating dental problems at an early stage can save time, money and unnecessary discomfort. Dental radiographs can detect damage to oral structures not visible during a regular exam.

Densensitization of Teeth
Sensitive teeth can be treated. Your dentist may suggest that you try a desensitizing toothpaste, which contains compounds that help block transmission of sensation from the tooth surface to the nerve. Desensitizing toothpaste usually requires several applications before the sensitivity is reduced. If the desensitizing toothpaste does not ease your discomfort, your dentist may suggest in-office techniques. A fluoride gel, which strengthens tooth enamel and reduces the transmission of sensations, may be applied to the sensitive areas of the teeth. If receding gums cause the sensitivity, your dentist may use agents that bond to the tooth root to "seal" the sensitive teeth. The sealer usually is composed of a plastic material.