PREVENTATIVE DENTISTRY

Preventative Dentistry

TAKE A PROACTIVE APPROACH TO MAINTAINING A HEALTHY SMILE.

PREVENTATIVE DENTISTRY

Town and Country Dental offers several preventative dental services at our office in Houston. You can read about some of our most common preventative services below, and be sure to make an appointment with Town and Country Dental soon – we’ll help you keep your teeth in tiptop shape.

DENTAL HYGIENE AND TEETH CLEANING

A good dental hygiene regimen is important for maintaining a healthy, beautiful smile. By caring for your teeth and gums on a daily basis, you can prevent the development of decay, inflammations, and disease which can compromise both your oral and general health. Daily brushing and flossing is important, but it is not sufficient to maintain optimal levels of oral health.
It is also important to visit Town and Country Dental twice a year for regularly scheduled dental exams and teeth cleanings. These dental visits are crucial for removing plaque and tartar from your teeth and for detecting any oral health conditions in their earliest stages.

TREATING YOUR WHOLE MOUTH

​When you visit Town and Country Dental for your regularly-scheduled visits, you will receive much more than just a teeth cleaning. Town and Country Dental will treat your whole mouth to ensure you not only enjoy optimal levels of oral health, but also good overall health.
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​In recent decades, research has found strong evidence of a mouth/body connection. What this means is that your oral health impacts your general health, and your general health impacts your oral health. In fact, studies have shown that gum disease can significantly increase your risk of conditions such as:
  • Heart disease
  • Diabetes
  • Cancer
  • Premature birth
  • Low birth-weight babies
During your dental exams, our team will perform 5 screenings to evaluate the health of your entire mouth:
  • Risk assessment, which includes a blood pressure reading and a thorough review of your medical and health history.
  • Oral cancer exam, which evaluates the hard and soft tissues.
  • Periodontal exam, which evaluates the health of the tissue and bone surrounding your teeth.
  • Restorative exam, which includes digital X-rays and a tour of your mouth with an intraoral camera to evaluate the health of your teeth.
  • Comprehensive neuromuscular exam, which evaluates the alignment of your bite and checks for TMJ symptoms.

GUM DISEASE TREATMENT

It's a little known fact, but more people suffer from gum disease than heart disease, stroke, Alzheimer's, and cancer combined. More concerning is the fact that gum disease is painless and most of those affected are unaware. At least 80% of the population has some form of gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, periodontitis (advanced), and gingivitis (mild).

The best way to prevent gum disease is to visit Town and Country Dental for your regularly scheduled dental checkup
WHAT IS GUM DISEASE?
Gum disease is an infection of the gums and bone that support the teeth. Our mouths contain bacteria that make up plaque, a clear, sticky substance that adheres to teeth. When not removed with proper daily home care of brushing/flossing, plaque hardens into tartar that irritates gums, making them susceptible to infection.

Once gum disease has set in, the sensitive tissue begins to break down, causing pockets around the teeth that allow plaque, tartar, and infection below the gum line to damage teeth roots and supporting bone.
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However, the oral health issues associated with gum disease are not the only risks you face. Periodontal disease also increases your risk of:
  • Heart disease
  • Stroke
  • Diabetes
  • Kidney disease
  • Preterm birth/low birth weight
HOW DO I KNOW IF I HAVE GUM DISEASE?
Though the early stages of gingivitis may carry no symptoms, as the disease advances you may notice red, tender, or swollen gums or bleeding when you brush your teeth. There is no cure for gum disease, but early detection can allow us to stop the disease from progressing.

Prevention and maintenance can be as simple as changing how you brush, flossing more frequently, or changing the products you use for oral care at home.  

If you are diagnosed with gum disease, expect to schedule more frequent hygiene visits so that Town and Country Dental can monitor your condition and make sure recovery is on track. More advanced cases may require more invasive treatments by a periodontist, a dentist who specializes in the treatment of gums and bone.
PERSONALIZED GUM TREATMENT
Our team will recommend the ideal periodontal treatment option based on the severity of your gum disease. If you only experience gingivitis, our doctors may be able to use more conservative periodontal treatment methods which focus on a more comprehensive oral hygiene regimen, including:
  • Brushing at least twice a day, although preferably after every meal, & using a topical fluoride toothpaste
  • Flossing every day to remove the plaque that builds up between your teeth or use of a Waterpik water flosser
  • Daily rinsing with an alcohol free antibacterial mouthwash
  • Visiting our dental office at least twice annually for professional teeth cleaning appointments – in some cases, Town and Country Dental may recommend more frequent teeth cleanings
Even in advanced stages, there are non-surgical treatment options. These may include: ​
  • Periodontal therapy – a deep cleaning method utilizing micro-sonic technology that removes tartar and plaque adhered to the root surface beneath the gum line.
  • Locally applied chemotherapeutic agents – an antibiotic treatment deposited into your infected gum pockets in order to kill all harmful bacteria.
  • Laser treatment – low-level laser light therapy decreases bacterial levels, reduces inflammation, removes infected tissue, increases circulation, stimulates collagen formation, and improves bone and tissue healing. Lasers heal as they work, allowing gum tissue to improve faster, helping to arrest the progression of active periodontal disease.

SEALANTS AND FLUORIDE

Town and Country Dental may recommend dental sealants and fluoride supplements during a checkup – especially for children. These preventive measures can deter tooth decay.

A dental sealant is a clear plastic coating that is painted on back teeth. It acts as a barrier against the sugars and starches that cause tooth decay. For kids, teens and adults, sealants on hard-to-clean back teeth can greatly reduce the risk of cavities. Dental sealants wear off over time, so they may need to be replaced periodically.
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Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that attracts other minerals to strengthen tooth enamel and deter cavity-causing bacteria. Adults and children benefit from professional fluoride rinses. Town and Country Dental wants to help you prevent problems with your teeth and maintain a healthy smile.
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