Preventative Health
Dental Cleaning & Consultation
Preventative care is a foundation of dentistry. The American Dental Association recommends visiting your dentist regularly – usually about twice yearly – for full cleanings, examinations, and consultations for potential treatment. Professional dental cleanings help remove built-up plaque that is not removable using conventional brushing and flossing. Dr. Sammons and Dr. Laurent are also capable of identifying potential problems that patients are not yet able to see or feel. When you maintain regular preventative dental appointments, you can stave off decay and gum disease, as well as identify the beginnings of oral health problems before they become severe.
What Should I Expect During My Check-Ups?
During your hygiene cleanings with our hand-selected team of talented hygienists at Dr. Sammons and Dr. Laurent Dental Artistry, you can expect a thorough yet gentle experience. Several of our wonderful patients have known our team members for 25+ years and can attest to the level of trust and confidence they have in our practice for their dental health.
During your check-ups with Dr. Sammons and Dr. Laurent, you can expect a thorough, comprehensive exam as well as a listening ear to answer any of your questions/concerns regarding your dental health. We cater to you and to your smile!
Comprehensive Exam Checklist
- Diagnostic Interview
- Health History Review
- Blood Pressure Screening
- Head and Neck Examination
- TMJ Examination
- Oral Cancer Screening
- Each Tooth Examined For: Decay, Mobility, and Stability
- Gum Examination
- Periodontal Health Examination (Pocket depth measurement of the bone and gum tissue)
- Bitewing X-Rays (To detect decay between teeth, root structure, bone levels and nerve/pulp involvement)
- Diagnodent Cavity Laser Detection
- Panoramic X-rays (Cancer and abscess screening, sinus cavities, third molars/wisdom teeth, cysts, and tumors)
- Hygiene Cleanings (To remove hardened plaque from teeth)
- Hygiene Polishing
Preventative Care
At Dr. Thomas Sammons and Dr. Ann Laurent Dental Artistry, we are firm believers that preventative management at home in between dental appointments is key to superb dental health. Ultimately, the dental health of you and your children is the sum of daily lifestyle choices and habits. This is why it is so important to begin dental hygiene early with your children and to remember that it is never too early to start brushing once their teeth come in.
Making at-home dental hygiene something enjoyable for your children will give them positive experiences that will reduce their risk for dental phobia in the future. We cannot over emphasize the importance of a consistent home care routine for you and your family!
Maintaining Your Beautiful Smile
Brush twice daily (at least!) with fluoride toothpaste. Soft bristles are more gentle to both your tooth structure and to your gums. Try holding your toothbrush at a 45* angle and using gentle, circular motions when brushing.
Floss daily before one of your brushing sessions. This will help you remove the plaque built up between your teeth that your toothbrush can miss. Unravel a new section of your floss for every tooth.
Do not rinse with water after brushing for thirty minutes because it washes off the fluoride from the toothpaste before it can incorporate into your teeth. Fluoride helps to protect teeth against cavities.
Drink plenty of water between meals/snacks to reduce plaque build-up on your teeth.
Make proper dietary decisions for you and your family by limiting your intake of starchy, sugary foods. Eat more calcium-rich foods supporting tooth health such as lean proteins, low-fat dairy, fresh fruits, and fresh vegetables.
Rinse with mouthwash after one of your brushing sessions. Over-the-counter mouthwash has been shown in studies to reduce plaque and gingivitis significantly, but it is important to follow directions for length of time to rinse. If you are having irritation with your mouthwash, try switching to one with no alcohol.
Talk to Dr. Sammons and Dr. Laurent about custom-made mouth guards. Mouth guards will help protect precious tooth structure and restorations from being worn down as a result of clenching, grinding, and straining your jaw during sleep or periods of stress. Mouth guards can also help treat current TMD/TMJ symptoms (headaches and migraines) as well as preventing TMD/TMJ.
Regular hygiene cleanings and dental checkups every six months at Dr. Sammons and Dr. Laurent Dental Artistry to maintain your beautiful smile and to diagnose potential problems before they progress.
Did You Know?
Sealants can last as long as 5 to 10 years on dental patients? Depending on oral development and risk factors for tooth decay, sealants may be applied to the teeth as young as age 6. It is at this time that the first molars typically appear. Additional molars erupt at approximately age 12. If possible, sealants should be applied to a child’s teeth immediately after any molar has appeared to reduce the risk of early decay.
Dental Sealants
Dental sealants are clear coatings applied to the surfaces of molars to prevent the development of tooth decay. They work by preventing food and plaque from resting in the grooves and crevices of molars – an area especially susceptible to cavities. According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, nearly 1 in 3 U.S. children ages 6 to 12 currently have sealants on their teeth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sealants bond directly to the teeth, where they harden to a clear or tooth-colored coat. This makes them virtually undetectable to others. Though it is normal to feel new sealants with the tongue, most patients quickly adapt to their presence.
The process of getting sealants is fast and painless. The tooth is cleaned before Dr. Sammons and Dr. Laurent paint the sealant onto the enamel. The sealant will immediately harden, acting as a barrier between bacteria and the chewing surface of the teeth. In most cases, sealants will last several years before needing to be reapplied. However, regular visits to Dental Artistry will be necessary to monitor the condition of the sealants and examine their effectiveness.
While sealants are extremely effective for preventing tooth decay in children, they do not replace other forms of preventative oral health care. Children should still brush and floss each day using a fluoridated toothpaste. Regular dental exams and a balanced diet low in sugar are also essential for good long-term oral health.