Preventive

Prophylaxis (cleaning) – A dental prophylaxis is a cleaning procedure performed to throughly clean the teeth. Everyone should have a cleaning done by a dental professional every 6 months to ensure that bacteria, plaque and food debris are completely removed from teeth. At home toothbrushes do a great job for daily use, but they can’t remove everything that professional tools can remove. A professional dental cleaning removes tartar and build-up from the surfaces of the teeth and under the gums.

Nutritional Counseling and Oral Hygiene Instructions – We will provide education on food choices that can affect your child’s dental health as well as provide tips on the best ways to take care of their teeth at every age.

Fluoride Varnish– This is a dental treatment performed on your child’s teeth after the cleaning is completed. The varnish helps prevent tooth decay, slow it down, or stop it from getting worse. Fluoride varnish is made with fluoride, a mineral that can strengthen tooth enamel. It is painted on the top and sides of each tooth with a small brush. It is sticky but hardens once it comes in contact with saliva.

It does not hurt when the varnish is applied, however, young children may still cry before or during the procedure and actually applying the varnish may be easier when a child is crying because their mouth will be slightly open.

Fluoride varnish is safe and used by dentists all over the world to help prevent tooth decay in children. Only a small amount is used, and hardly any fluoride is swallowed. It is quickly applied and hardens.

Your child may eat and drink after the Varnish is applied, however we do ask that the teeth are not brushed for 6-12 hours.

Sealants – A great tool for prevention of cavities. Sealants are a tooth colored, protective coating for the chewing surfaces of the teeth. Sealants are placed in the grooves of teeth to aid in keeping out the bacteria and food that collects in these grooves. The majority of cavities in younger patients occur on the top, chewing surface of the tooth, so placing these coverings into the deep, food collecting grooves helps to reduce the chance of getting cavities. Sealants are painless and easy and can last many years. Foods to avoid with sealants are sticky candy and chewing ice. Most dental insurances cover sealants as they are a wonderful preventive tool in the prevention of tooth decay.

Clinpro 5000 Toothpaste – A prescription strength toothpaste which delivers more than four times the fluoride of regular toothpaste.

Just For Kids Fluoride Brush-On Gel – A gel designed for young, cavity-prone patients. This product is a brush-on therapy for cavity reduction.