Preventative Dental Care

PREVENTATIVE DENTISTRY

A healthy smile happens by prioritizing your daily regimen and professional routine visits. Your dentists at Vassey Dental Partners recommend professional cleanings twice a year to maintain optimal dental health.

A routine visit includes a professional cleaning by a licensed hygienist and a thorough examination by your dentist. Preventative dentistry helps identify potential problems early on before they can progress and require extensive dental procedures. Your dentist will check every tooth and your gums for any signs of decay and disease. If any issues are found, your dentist can utilize a more conservative plan for treatment, minimizing your expense and discomfort.

If evidence of early gum disease is detected, a non-surgical method called scaling and root planing can be an effective treatment option. This method can be used for removing tartar, plaque, and bacteria hidden deeply in the gums. Since gum disease is the most common reason for adult tooth loss, your dentist will offer treatment as soon as concerning signs are observed. Even if your gums feel fine, you could be on the verge of developing further complications, such as gingivitis or periodontal disease. By prioritizing your professional visits, you give your dentist the opportunity to identify problems early on.

Being proactive about dental care from an early age can help your family avoid many dental complications. Encouraging your child’s oral health through regular dental cleanings is vital for their smile long-term. When healthy habits are established from the beginning, they will be more likely to last long-term. Teens and children are vulnerable to build up, plaque, and cavities. If your child is feeling anxious about their visit, we have several ways to help, including nitrous oxide, to put them at ease. The dentist office can be an intimidating place for children, so Vassey Dental Partners is committed to do everything possible to make your child’s experience positive. Typically, children should start their pediatric dental care once they reach the age of one.

Addressing TOOTH CAVITIES

Whether young or old, patients of all ages frequently develop cavities. Some patients may not even realize they have a cavity until the tooth becomes painful. Staying up to date on your dental visits is important for identifying and restoring cavities.

If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, you may have a cavity...

  • Cold or heat sensitivity
  •  Tooth pain
  •  Visible holes
  • Gum discomfort or bleeding

How does a cavity happen?

Cavities often develop based upon a patient’s dietary choices and/or teeth cleaning regimen. Inside of your mouth, plaque is always developing. When the plaque mixes with sugar, starchy foods, or beverages, bacteria can form and start to eat away at your tooth enamel. Over time, the tooth enamel can be compromised, putting the entire tooth at risk of a cavity.

Being proactive with your diet can greatly support your dental health.

  • Limit the number of times you expose your mouth to food/sugar.
  • Choose fresh fruits and vegetables, while limiting starchy foods.
  • Minimize the sugar intake in your diet, such as sugary sodas and candy.
  • Drink more water.

Tooth cavities will happen for most patients eventually, but a healthy lifestyle can help you avoid them.

Solutions for Cavities

If you currently have signs of decay or cavity, your dentist can make a customized recommendation for restoring your tooth. The goal will be to restore your tooth and limit any further damage.

Many cavities can be resolved using dental fillings. A variety of materials can be used for fillings, including composite resin, porcelain, or gold, but composite resin is the most commonly used. If your decay is severe or compromising a large portion of the tooth, you may require a crown. In some cases where decay has progressed and infected the inner pulp of the tooth, a root canal may be necessary to resolve the issue.
In cases of serious damage or decay, inlays and onlays made from lithium disilicate can be an option. They are bonded with the tooth to provide greater strength.

Routine dental care is the key to having a healthy smile for the years to come. If dental issues are noticed early on, your dentist will be more likely to limit the damage to your teeth and your expenses.

SCHEDULE Your Visit

If you are currently experiencing pain or suspect you have a tooth cavity, contact our office to schedule an appointment. Call (770) 487-5346 or request an appointment online.

New Patient
Experience

Dentist Offices Peachtree City GA Step 1
Dentist Offices Peachtree City GA

Please contact our team if you would like to set up your initial appointment. Our New Patient Coordinator will guide you through what to expect for your first visit to include a full set of X-rays, a gum assessment, and a comprehensive exam with one of our doctors. She will speak with you about your concerns and match you with the best provider to accommodate your needs and ensure you have the best dental experience.

Dentist Peachtree City GA Step 2
Dentist Peachtree City GA

Determine a plan that works for you - Whether it is preventative care or cosmetic, our team will help you lay out the best path for you. After the initial exam, our doctors will walk you through your x-rays and intra-oral photos of your teeth, so that you can understand the current state of your oral health. In conjunction with your primary concern, we will walk through a few different treatment options, so that we can restore you to the best oral health.

Dentist Peachtree City GA - New Patient Experience Step 3
Dentist Peachtree City GA - New Patient Experience

Take Action. During your first treatment at Vassey Dental Partners, you will be prepared from start to finish. We take the time to answer any treatment questions, utilize a wealth of resources to make you comfortable in the chair, and prepare you for the estimated out of pocket costs prior to treatment. If you have dental anxiety, we will go over several options that will help you have the most comfortable dental experience as possible. Options include nitrous oxide (laughing gas), oral sedation, and IV sedation.

Dentist Peachtree City GA - New Patient Experience Step 4
Dentist Peachtree City GA - New Patient Experience

Follow Up & Long Term Care. Our goal is to take care of any necessary treatment and then to have you on scheduled recall visits to have your teeth cleaned. At this visit, we will monitor your periodontal health, complete periodic exams and annual xrays, so that we can diagnose conservative treatment.

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November 4th, 2022

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FAQ

What is preventative dentistry?

Preventative dentistry includes a variety of different services that are designed to help patients maintain good oral health. This includes attending regular dental check-ups, having regular teeth cleaning and fluoride treatments, and to also develop the healthy habits required in between dental visits. These habits include routine brushing and flossing of the teeth and attention to making changes in lifestyle choices to increase overall dental health.

How often should I schedule dental check-ups?

Early and regular dental check-ups are essential in maintaining a healthy smile throughout life. A six-month schedule for dental check-ups is the best option for most children and adults with a good level of dental health.

However, individuals of any age may benefit from a shorter period between check-ups. People with periodontal disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, and specific types of cancers may need to see their dentists on a more frequent basis. Other issues, such as taking specific medications or injury or trauma to the mouth may also require additional monitoring by the dentist for a period of time.

What is the cost of a dental check-up?

Most dental insurance policies cover most or all of the costs of dental check-ups. Routine check-ups decrease the risk of more costly procedures, and covering routine costs is a cost-saving measure for insurance carriers.

If you do not have insurance coverage, contact the office at 770-676-1291. We offer different options for those paying for check-ups and dental procedures.