Dental Services > Preventative Dentistry

Preventative Dental Care for the Whole Family

You may be wondering, “How can I seek out the right dental office for a great dental cleaning and checkup near me?” At its most basic, our preventive dental care plan follows the American Dental Association’s standard of care and includes two dental cleanings and exams per year and x-rays one per year.

During your dental cleaning, one of our hygienists at W Dentistry will clean plaque and tartar away from your teeth, polish them, and floss to remove any debris that may remain behind. Then, Dr. Whitney McBrayer or Dr. Greg Johnson will come in for an oral exam. They’ll carefully watch for signs of things like tooth decay, gum disease, teeth clenching or grinding, and other common oral health issues. They will also screen for serious issues such as oral or skin cancer and head and neck signs of systemic illnesses. Lastly, we will educate you on things beyond the basics that you may not know so you can take great care of your teeth and gums at home!

What Can I Expect at My First Dental Cleaning?

At W Dentistry, our staff is excellent at putting people at ease. They’ll ask you about any dental issues or concerns you have, such as tooth decay, gum disease, teeth grinding, or other common oral health problems. You’ll have a thorough dental exam, during which one of our hygienists will clean plaque and tartar away from your teeth. They may use a water pick or ultrasonic device to remove the bacteria that cause gum disease. After your cleaning, Dr. Whitney McBrayer or Dr. Greg Johnson will come in for an oral exam and examine the overall health of your mouth and teeth. We also like to take x-rays during your exam once per year so that we can get an accurate picture of your teeth and gums as well as the bone that supports them. These pictures will give us any sign of decay, tooth wear, bone loss, infections, cysts, or other problems at the earliest possible opportunity. Prevention of serious dental issues and pain is our goal, and early detection is key!

W Dentistry’s goal is to provide excellent care to each of our patients. We pride ourselves on being your family dentist in the local LBK area, and we know how important it is to invest time into preventive dental care so that we can keep your whole family’s smiles healthy from the inside out!

Protect Your Teeth

One way that we can prevent cavities in your teeth is by using a dental sealant. This is a thin resin material which covers the grooves of the chewing surfaces of teeth at high risk for tooth decay and cavities. This non-invasive treatment is beneficial because the dental sealant creates a barrier that prevents plaque from accumulating in these areas that your toothbrush can’t reach, helping to decrease the risk of cavities. Sealants are painless and don’t require any anesthesia.

Fluoride Treatments

Another way to strengthen your smile is with the use of fluoride treatments. Fluoride is a natural, essential mineral that prevents tooth decay by strengthening and remineralizing your enamel (the outer layer of your teeth). Fluoride treatments are beneficial for everyone as a preventive measure against tooth decay, but in particular can help children by strengthening their enamel in the early stages of tooth formation and can help geriatric patients through the process of remineralization and protection against the damage of a dry mouth often caused by medications and the decline of salivary gland function. Fluoride varnish, gel, foam, or paste is completely safe and is recommended for children especially by the American Academy of Pediatricians and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentists.