Preventive services include the procedures we offer to help prevent oral diseases such as tooth decay, gum disease, and oral cancer.  Hometown Dentistry focuses on the importance of regular preventive services not only to maintain your health but also to save you money and time by preventing and managing these potentially damaging conditions.

Checkups and Cleanings

Your oral health is precious and the best way to protect your dental well-being is through regular visits to our office for routine checkups and cleanings. Receiving checkups on a regular basis substantially increases the odds of early detection for common oral disease. A checkup involves a physical examination of the entire oral cavity, the lower part of the face, and the neck. Diagnostic images and intraoral cameras are also used to evaluate the health of soft and hard tissue. When a checkup is performed, patients are screened for signs of periodontal disease, bone atrophy, dental caries, and oral cancer.

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In addition to the very thorough nature of a checkup, professional cleanings are necessary to control the accumulation of harmful substances between teeth and at the gum line. Our dental hygienists gently remove tartar and plaque to keep gums and teeth healthy. Receiving cleanings are a non-invasive and cost effective way to prevent periodontal disease.

Preventive Treatments

Preventing oral disease conserves money and time but most importantly, it can save vital oral tissue from disease and infection. To help our patients maintain good oral health, we offer non-invasive services like fluoride treatments and dental sealants. These treatments strengthen teeth to reduce the likelihood of developing tooth decay. A fluoride treatment strengthens teeth by replenishing the mineral content of tooth enamel while a dental sealant is a micro-thin, clear plastic coating that covers the biting surfaces of teeth so that bacteria do not pool in the pits and grooves between a tooth’s cusps.

Dental Emergencies

Dental emergencies are traumatic and often uncomfortable. When it comes to emergencies like chipped or knocked out teeth, broken and loose restorations, and painful toothaches, our practice is here to accommodate your needs. In the event of an emergency, call our office as soon as you can so that our staff can assist in booking your appointment and give helpful information on how to minimize discomfort. We recommend keeping our business cards in your wallet or purse and storing our office number in your mobile phone so that you can contact us without difficulty. If you have an emergency that requires medical attention such as severe facial lacerations or broken facial bones, visit your nearest hospital for treatment.

If it’s time for a checkup and cleaning or if you need a second opinion, call our office to schedule an appointment with our experienced dentist, Dr. Weakley.

Common Questions

The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that patients visit their dentist’s office twice a year for oral checkups and professional cleanings. Receiving regular professional oral healthcare is imperative to preventing common and destructive oral health conditions. Attending routine checkups also helps ensure that potential issues are detected as soon as possible. In most instances, early detection allows for more conservative treatment. For example, small cavities can be addressed with minor restorations like filings whereas advanced tooth decay might require endodontic therapy and more extensive restorations such as dental crowns.
Daily oral hygiene practices are a person’s first line of defense against common oral conditions like periodontal (gum) disease and dental caries (cavities). You should brush your teeth at least twice a day with a toothbrush and toothpaste that has the ADA seal of approval. Each time you brush, you should clean each tooth with soft circular motions, the gum line, and the tongue for a total of two minutes. Flossing is also key for maintaining healthy gums. You should floss once per day, every day. Flossing and brushing controls the development of harmful substances like plaque and tartar.
While performing oral hygiene at home is important for preventing oral disease, professional cleanings are still necessary for removing tartar accumulation between teeth and along the gums. Patients should schedule a dental cleaning every six months (twice a year) for optimal dental health. Cleanings are non-invasive and can help prevent the advancement of gum disease by removing tartar accumulation, a substance that cannot be removed with brushing or flossing.

If you have a dental emergency, contact our practice as soon as possible. We recommend keeping our contact information handy by keeping our business cards in your wallet, purse, or work desk. Storing our number in your mobile phone is helpful for reaching us quickly as well. When calling, be sure to give as much detail as possible so that we can prepare for your visit.

Common dental emergencies include facial trauma, knocked out or cracked teeth, toothaches, and loose/lost restorations.