A Healthy Smile with Preventative Dentistry

Not only do regular examinations and cleanings improve the look and feel of your teeth, but they allow Dr. Tran to catch tooth decay, gum disease, or other oral health issues early—before pain or inflammation alerts you to a problem. In our mouths, plaque, or the sticky residue that covers teeth and gum lines, harbors thousands of bacteria that produce corrosive acids. The acidic environment in plaque can destroy healthy tooth enamel, and cause cavities and the early stages of periodontal disease, gingivitis. If left untreated, these problems can grow and require more intensive cleanings or treatments such as root scaling and planning, root canal treatment, dental crowns, and more.

While good oral hygiene starts at home, diligent brushing and flossing cannot remove all of the plaque and tartar (or hardened plaque) that accumulates on your teeth. Our special instruments are designed to safely remove tartar and plaque and prevent decay in those hard to reach areas.

The American Dental Association recommends cleanings and examinations every six months. While every patient has different health goals and needs, the exact frequency of these visits may vary. But if you have overall healthy teeth and gums, a cleaning and examination every six months is a good benchmark. Dr. Tran can help you decide the schedule that best works for you.

Oral health has a direct link to your overall health. Studies show that gum disease can contribute to other medical conditions such as heart disease, stroke, dementia, and even premature birth. Excessive bacteria from your mouth is carried by your blood to other areas of the body. By keeping oral bacteria levels low, you reduce your chances of developing secondary health issues from oral bacterial infections.

It’s important to also remember that preventive treatments are much more affordable than restorative treatments. When you take the time to invest in your oral health now, it can pay off down the road in dental cost savings and improved quality of life.

Patient Education: Proper oral health starts at home with daily brushings and flossing. We can demonstrate how to improve brushing and flossing techniques to remove more plaque and tartar between appointments.

Routine Examinations: Detecting cavities, checking gum health, and assessing jaw movements are just some of the ways we can help you maintain your smile.

Regular Cleanings with Ultrasonic Scaling: Our dental hygienists are expertly trained in the latest dental cleaning techniques and technologies, cleanings are performed using an ultrasonic scaler that removes tartar with less discomfort than traditional dental tools. For people with teeth sensitivity, the ultrasonic scaler helps improve the teeth cleaning experience.

Dental Sealants: Dental sealants are thin, plastic coatings we can place on back molars to prevent decay in hard-to-brush areas.

Fluoride Treatments: Over time, tooth enamel is worn down or “demineralized” due to acidity from food, drinks, and oral bacteria. Our topical fluoride treatments are a simple way to strengthen tooth enamel, making them more resilient to wear and tear.

Custom Mouth Guards: Dr. Tran has helped many patients who suffer from night-time bruxism, or teeth grinding or clenching, with a custom oral appliance. A mouth guard reduces pain associated with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder and prevents additional enamel erosion from teeth-to-teeth contact.

Digital X-rays: X-rays allow Dr. Tran to see the whole picture—what’s happening underneath the visible area of the teeth and gums. Our in-office x-ray imaging equipment makes it quick and easy for us to obtain images to help Dr. Tran diagnose any unseen inflammation, infection or other issues. Our x-ray system is completely digital, and produces 90 percent less radiation than traditional x-ray machines.

Oral Cancer Screening: For our patients’ peace of mind, we offer quick, non-invasive oral cancer screenings that take just a few moments.