Preventive

Preventive dental care is worthwhile throughout your life, no matter what your age is. By practicing good oral hygiene at home and scheduling regular checkups with our office, you can help keep your smile bright and healthy for many years to come.

Here are a few simple ways you can prevent the build-up of plaque and cavities:

Brush your teeth at least twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Use fluoride toothpaste to remove food particles and plaque from the tooth surfaces. Also be sure to brush the top surface of your tongue; this will remove any extra plaque-causing food particles, and help keep your breath fresh!

Clean between your teeth by flossing at least once a day. You can also use a mouthwash to help kill bacteria and freshen your breath. Decay-causing bacteria can linger between teeth where toothbrush bristles can’t reach. Floss and mouthwash will help remove plaque and food particles from between the teeth and under the gum line.

Professional Cleanings

Professional cleanings performed by a certified dentist or hygienist are just as important to your dental health as daily brushing and flossing. Using specialized tools and training, your hygienist or dentist will:

• Remove plaque build-up from the surfaces of teeth. (Bacteria in the mouth form plaque, which collects on teeth and causes decay, gum disease, and gingivitis.)
• Remove tartar from teeth surfaces. (Tartar, or calculus, is plaque that has become so hardened on the teeth that its removal requires special procedures. Tartar below the gum line is also an indicator of gum disease.)
• Remove surface stains from teeth through polishing.

Examinations

Regular examinations help detect and prevent health issues before they become serious. Consistent dental check-ups help catch problems when they are small and easier to treat. Left unattended, small treatable problems become worse and may require more extensive, expensive procedures to repair. Dental examinations generally include the following:

• Gum Disease screening
• Oral Cancer screening
• Visual tooth decay evaluation
• Visual gum disease examination
• Gum pocket measurement and tracking
• X-ray examination to detect: tooth decay, cysts, tumors, problems below the gums and other hidden issues

Dental X-rays (Radiographs)

X-rays are a primary tool for early identification of dental problems. Detecting issues with X-rays before they become problems can save you money in the long run by preventing the need for more extensive, expensive procedures or surgeries. X-rays are primarily used to detect:

• Internal tooth decay
• Cysts (fluid filled sacks at the base of your teeth)
• Tumors, both cancerous and non-cancerous
• Impacted teeth
• Teeth that are still coming in 

At Precision Dental, our dental team uses digital x-rays which have several advantages over traditional film based x-rays. They emit up to 90% less radiation, are ready for examination nearly instantly, can be viewed by the patient and dentist on a computer screen, and they are greener; no chemicals are needed for processing.

Gum Disease (Periodontal Disease)

Gum disease accounts for approximately 70% of all tooth loss in adults. Early signs of gum disease include bleeding gums when flossing or brushing and gums that are red, inflamed, or swollen. 

Gum disease and tooth decay are caused by the same bacteria. These bacteria form plaque beneath the gum-line, which eats away at the bond between tooth and gum. If deterioration is allowed to continue, "pockets" form in between the teeth and the gums. Pockets deeper than 3ml may require special treatment to remove the bacteria and plaque. Without treatment and continuous maintenance, gum disease will eventually weaken the bonds that hold the teeth in place. 

There is no permanent treatment for gum disease. However, it can be kept under control with proper personal hygiene and regular visits to a trained dentist or hygienist.

Professional Mouthguard

Many people subconsciously grind their teeth in times of stress or during sleep. When coming together, the strong force of the teeth and jaws can cause grinding and microfractures, resulting in prematurely worn teeth.

The dentist at Precision Dental offer mouthguards (also called night guards) to protect teeth against premature wearing. For nighttime use only, these professional mouthguards can prevent painful jaws, tooth damage and even TMJ issues.

Why a professional mouthguard?

Precision Dental uses several varieties of high quality mouthguards, depending on the needs of the patient. Every mouthguard is custom-fitted for your mouth, to offer the best comfort. Using store-bought boil-and-bite mouthguards can result in a bulky fit, and inferior materials that could cause bite problems.

The right quality mouthguard will not only protect your teeth, but your peace of mind. Request a consultation from our dentist for this protective solution today!