Preventive Dentistry

Routine Check-ups, Professional Cleanings, & Radiographs | Fluoride Supplements
Periodontal Therapy to Treat Gum Disease | Dental Sealants

Routine Check-ups, Professional Cleanings, & Radiographs

Quite often, patients ask why they continually have dental problems. Nearly every time, these patients don’t adhere to the routine, daily homecare regimen they need to a support a program of dental health. Additionally, one of the most important things you can do to help ensure a lifetime of dental health is to have a consistent routine of dental check-ups with proper diagnostic radiographs and regular cleanings by a Registered Dental Hygienist.

Recent studies show that poor oral health can lead to not only various dental problems, but contribute to other medical illness as well. Routine check-ups with diagnostic radiographs and professional cleanings can identify dental problems early and decrease the risks associated with heart disease, oral cancer, tooth loss and oral infections.

For most patients, an annual examination with radiographs is necessary, along with a thorough, professional cleaning every 6 months. For patients with special dental needs, professional cleanings and maintenance may need to be more frequent. What ever your case may be, Tanya Hambrick RDH, our office hygienist, will answer any questions you may have and provide you with the proper coaching, care and education you’ll need to maintain a healthy mouth.

Fortunately, most dental insurance plans will cover the costs of good preventive plans like our office recommends. To find out if your insurance plan covers routine preventive care, ask your employer or give our office a call and let our friendly staff assist you.

Fluoride Supplements

What Is Fluoride?

Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral in the Earth’s water sources. It is derived from the element Fluorine and for many years has been proven to prevent and even reverse early stages of tooth decay by as much as 20-40%! The City of Lubbock monitors the level of fluoridation in the city water supply, which is kept below the threshold level for dental fluorosis and does not add additional fluoride.

For some patients, your doctor or hygienist may recommend an additional fluoride supplement which can be applied topically or in a mouth rinse. The fluoride that you receive in Dr. McLarty’s office is a prescription product and a different concentration than what you might get in an over-the-counter formulation.

In many community areas surrounding Lubbock, Texas the naturally occurring fluoride mineral content in groundwater is high enough to discolor or disfigure the adult dentition. This condition, referred to as Dental Fluorosis occurs between the ages of 3 months to 8 years, while the adult dentition is forming, and is caused from an overexposure to fluoride. Children over the age of eight years old aren’t at risk because the enamel on their adult teeth has already been formed, even though the tooth has not yet erupted.

The American Dental Association not only recommends that you brush with toothpaste containing fluoride, but also that you get the additional application at your cleaning appointments to help keep your teeth’s enamel strong and resistant to the bacterial acids that cause decay.

Periodontal Therapy to Treat Gum Disease

Studies show that more people lose their teeth to periodontal (gum) disease than to tooth decay, so it is important to maintain quality, consistent, home care and routine check-ups.

Periodontal disease is the painless inflammation and advancement of an infection of the tissues that support your teeth. The disease process stems from oral plaque (bacterial film) accumulating at the area where the tooth and gum meet. The initial signs and symptoms of periodontal disease are red, puffy, tender gums. Patients with periodontal disease may find that their gums bleed easily when brushing or flossing, have teeth that have shifted apart from one another or are loose, or may have detected their gums receding. There is often a constant bad taste and bad breath (halitosis) present.

There are different classifications of periodontal disease based on the severity of the condition. The two most common categories are gingivitis and periodontitis. While gingivitis is a more mild stage of the disease, it can progress to advanced stages if left untreated. Various factors increase the risk for periodontal disease, such as smoking, taking certain medications, crooked teeth that are difficult to brush and floss appropriately, and some medical diseases such as diabetes. It is important to always alert your doctor and hygienist of any changes in your medical history or lifestyle habits that could be contributing to your periodontal disease.

It is possible to have periodontal disease without having loose teeth and have no warning signs. This is just one reason why a consistent regimen of annual check-ups with diagnostic radiographs and professional cleanings are so important. Dr. McLarty’s recommendations for treatment will depend on the severity of the disease.

It’s the patient that thinks they are doing well because they aren’t hurting that ends up with the majority of dental problems. Periodontal disease is not something you have one day and then are cured the next. It takes a dedicated patient, willing to change their daily habits and receptive to professional coaching from their dentist and hygienist to succeed. The rewards are plenty and with good management, many patients are able to keep their teeth and improve their quality of life.

Dental Sealants

Dental sealants are recognized as a key method for cavity prevention by the American Dental Association. They can act as a barrier to protect the deep grooves and fissures in the biting surface of teeth against decay-causing bacteria. They are applied to molars and premolars, where it can be difficult to clean and decay most often occurs.

Although they are not indicated for everyone, patients with deep anatomical fissures are more prone to decay in those areas. Certainly, patients with poor oral hygiene and a history of cavities in these areas are at a higher risk for further cavities in these areas and should receive dental sealants. Your doctor or hygienist will make recommendations to you if sealants are indicated.

Dental sealants are easy to place and require no anesthesia. Most insurance companies provide benefits to cover all or part of the cost of sealants, but there can be age limitations or tooth restrictions. We can help you to determine if your insurance will allow for coverage.