In preventive dentistry, we care for the general dental issues and maintenance you need. Our team will get to know you well over the years, and we track your specific health needs, keeping records of your progress. We will check for any developments or problems as they come up, and we can quickly provide state-of-the-art services to fix them.
We strive to make our clinic warm and refined for our patients, so they know they’re getting excellent service they can trust. We know some patients feel stressed about dentists, so we’ll make your experience as enjoyable as possible. We hope you have an excellent experience with us!
To achieve your highest oral and dental health—which promotes your overall health—come to Tower Dental. We’re in a beautiful location near Elliott Bay and the Space Needle. Come tour our high-end facility and get to know our friendly staff.
When Should You Consider Preventive Dentistry?
Preventing dental problems is much more comfortable than fixing them. It’s also more cost-efficient. Your preventive dentistry appointments every six months will make you much happier. Prevention is:
- Cheaper: because any procedures are simple and less specialized.
- Faster: because again, these procedures are simpler and quicker restorations.
- Less stressful: because it minimizes your risk for infection and injury.
Through preventive services, we’ll protect the long-term structure and health of your beautiful smile. Maintain your teeth today, instead of fixing them later! You’ll have a smile you can be proud of for many years.
Preventive Dentistry Can Help Everyone
A safe and healthy dental routine includes a preventive dentistry visit every six months. That usually gives us enough time to catch developing problems, such as:
- Cavities.
- Gum disease.
- Oral cancer.
- Plaque and tartar.
- Mouth sores.
- Other issues.
Besides regular brushing and flossing at home, your teeth need professional cleanings and other services to stay strong and healthy. You don’t want to wait much longer than six months between appointments.
If you don’t take advantage of preventative treatments, Infections can build up and start to damage the structure of your teeth! Bacteria can even wear down your immune system and damage organs.
The health of your mouth is integral to the health of your body, and preventive dentistry can help you maintain both.
Standing for Excellence at Tower Dental in Seattle
If you’re excited to keep your teeth strong and avoid costly dental services when possible, make your next general dentistry appointment with Tower Dental.
During your appointment, we’ll be able to give you your semi-annual cleaning! Our friendly team members will take care of it for you. If you don’t have an appointment right now, contact us at our beautiful location near Elliott Bay.
We love to meet with new patients and to maintain the health of our current patients. You’ll be able to meet with Dr. Moua or Dr. Radkey. Contact us now to take your first step toward keeping your teeth healthy.
What To Expect During Your Exam and Cleaning
Remember that your preventive dentist is a key member of your healthcare team. We want to protect your overall health against bacteria and infections, gum disease, cavities, headaches, and even cancer.
We practice each of the services below to be efficient. You should expect your cleaning and exam to take between 30–90 minutes.
Dental Imaging
During your initial exam—and then about once a year—we’ll use digital x-ray devices to look deep into your teeth and jaw. Your detailed scans are saved in computer records. That means we can quickly compare them in the future to catch developing issues in your teeth.
Digital scans are quickly transferable to other locations if you move or if you need to see a specialist.
Examination of Teeth and Gums
Our dentist carefully checks for any developing problems, using years of training and experience, along with the latest information on trends in oral and dental health. Scheduling exams consistently is vital because dental health issues can begin to develop in a few months.
We can check your teeth from every angle using advanced tools, such as intraoral cameras. This device goes inside the mouth and takes close-up images of all your pearly whites. Then, because they’re digital photos, we can put them up on a screen so you can see them too!
Carefully Cleaning Teeth
Our trained and experienced dental hygienist will thoroughly clean your team, especially taking care of hard-to-reach places. Even when you brush and floss regularly, it’s impossible to clean every hidden pocket of bacteria.
We also use special dental tools, along with periodic training, to help your teeth and gums stay bacteria-free. Our hygienists have a gentle hand and are very friendly. They love their jobs, and they’re very aware of patient needs.
Removal of Mineral Buildup
Sometimes, bacteria buildup called plaque can lay down a material called tartar. This may leave mineral deposits on your teeth, which trap stains and damage the structure of teeth. It is very difficult to remove on your own, so we’re happy to help.
We use professional, clinical cleaning instruments to gently remove mineral buildup. We’ll strive to keep you as comfortable as possible as we do so.
Polishing Teeth
Polishing is a final cleaning step. It buffs the teeth, making them smooth and glossy. It may give you fresher breath and help prevent tooth decay. Polishing is both cosmetic and effective for keeping your teeth healthy.
We choose professional polishing instruments and paste that will also promote your holistic health, safety, and comfort. This final touch goes quickly and should feel comfortable.
Fluoride Treatment
You have the option to have a fluoride rinse at the end of your cleaning. This adds a mineral that is found in nature—fluoride—to your mouth. Your saliva naturally adds minerals to your tooth surface daily, and fluoride just enhances this process.
Fluoride is good for children and anyone with:
- Hard-to-reach tooth regions.
- Oral hygiene issues.
- Exposed tooth roots.
- Eating disorders.
- Tooth cracks.
- Dry mouth.
Recommended Habits
We recommend developing the following habits to encourage good oral and overall health:
- Brush with fluoride toothpaste.
- Visit us 1–2 times per year.
- Drink less alcohol.
- Avoid tobacco products.
- Limit sugary and acidic foods.
- Brush twice a day and floss.
- Avoid or control dry mouth.
- Keep diabetes until control.
- Brush and floss daily.
- Visit us quickly if you experience a sudden change in taste or smell.
Common Issues Treated With Preventive Dentistry
Plaque and Tartar
Plaque is a sticky film on your teeth caused by bacteria. Bacteria use sugars in food and drinks to create acids that damage tooth material. Plaque then holds this against your teeth, which can lead to cavities, requiring a filling or other service to repair the damage.
Tartar is a hardened layer that accumulates on teeth when plaque is not treated quickly. It is difficult to clean off, and you won’t be able to beat it with a toothbrush and floss. If you have a layer of tartar on your teeth, you’ll need a professional cleaning to get rid of it.
Cavities
A cavity is a depression or hole in the surface of your tooth. Cavities often cause:
- Tooth pain.
- Dark tooth stains.
- Sensitivity to hot or cold.
- Toothaches with no obvious source.
- Pain from sweet drinks or foods.
- Visible holes or pits on a tooth.
- Pain when biting down.
Tooth pain is always a sign you should make an appointment. But some cavities don’t hurt if they don’t hit a nerve. That’s why sometimes cavities are a surprise during an exam.
When you have a cavity, many times we’ll be able to quickly repair your tooth with a filling to prevent major damage.
Fillings
Are you afraid of fillings? The procedure is no longer painful. It’s uncomplicated and quick. We’ll even professionally numb your tooth and help you get comfortable. Plus, some cavities only need a tiny filling to repair the tooth.
A filling service will:
- Stop any bacterial infection.
- Replace tooth material lost to bacteria or injury.
- Restore the shape and function of your tooth.
We’ll use a tooth-colored material in your filling so that your tooth blends in with your natural smile. Of course, we only use materials that are proven to be biocompatible, to protect your overall health.
Gingivitis or Periodontal Disease
Around 50% of Americans have some level of gum disease, which increases with age. We need to check your gum health regularly because gums nourish and protect your teeth.
Gum disease is caused by bacterial infections on the gum tissue. And infections in the mouth—which sometimes enter the bloodstream—can lead to:
- Bad breath.
- Red, inflamed gums.
- Birth complications.
- Heart problems.
- Diabetes.
- Arthritis.
That’s why we control bacteria with professional cleanings. We also use techniques called scaling and root planing which repair damaged gums, along with dental lasers that clean and shape the gums.
Toothaches
A toothache is one of the most common signs of a tooth problem. It can be caused by a bacterial infection in or around the tooth. This can lead to general tooth pain or sensitivity to heat, cold, sweets, or chewing.
Sometimes, an abscess causes pain. This is an inflamed tissue pocket created by a tooth infection, which can also be quite painful.
When you have a toothache, your dentist at Tower Dental may:
- Repair a cavity with a filling and sedation.
- Assess your tooth for a possible root canal infection.
- Extract a tooth that is damaged beyond repair.
Mouth Sores
The soft tissues in the mouth, including the gums, are sometimes vulnerable to developing either canker or cold sores. These are often accompanied by painful swelling.
Many sores are temporary. They’ll clear up on their own within a few days. But if you have a sore that persists longer, making talking and eating difficult, contact us at Tower Dental.
Your dentist can use a state-of-the-art dental laser to painlessly stop a sore from growing. Soft tissue is easily controlled in this way. Our dental lasers are gentle enough to use on our most sensitive patients and powerful enough for quick, pain-relieving results.
Preventive Dentistry FAQs
What Symptoms Should Cause Concern To Go See a Dentist?
When you’re brushing and flossing each day, check your teeth and gums in the mirror. Also, note how your teeth feel when you’re eating and drinking. Watch for these danger signs:
- Red, swollen, or sensitive gums: Gums often become swollen because of bacterial infection, which can be controlled at the dentist with professional gum cleaning techniques.
- Sensitivity to cold or hot: Teeth become sensitive when the outer layer is damaged by infection or injury. This exposes internal tissues and nerves, which experience pain.
- Persistent bad breath: Bad breath is often a sign of an oral hygiene problem, such as gum disease.
- Pain while chewing: This can be caused by a cavity, internal tooth infection, gum disease, and other issues we can clear up.
- Loose adult teeth: A loose baby tooth can be a good sign, but a loose adult tooth must be addressed quickly to save the tooth.
- Unusual tastes in the mouth: Sudden or persistent strange tastes are often caused by infections and/or abscesses. Even if the taste disappears, you may have an infection.
- Gums pulling away from teeth: When gums are damaged by infection, they may pull away from your teeth, leaving a gap that is impossible to clean at home.
- Bleeding while brushing or flossing: Persistent, excessive bleeding is a sign that your oral tissues are being damaged and irritated by bacteria.
Besides brushing and flossing at home, regularly scheduled exams and cleanings will help prevent these issues. However, if you experience one of the symptoms above, we’ll be happy to find the problem and offer you a quick solution.
Whether you need a filling, cleaning, extraction, or another service, reach out to Tower Dental, because we care about your optimal health.
What’s the Best Routine for Good Oral Health?
Your dentist and hygienist are important members of your overall healthcare team. But you are the main player on that team. So, here are 10 practices you can follow to improve and maintain your dental health:
- Maintain Your Oral Hygiene: Brush your teeth as soon as you wake in the morning and before bed. Floss once a day to remove plaque between your teeth.
- Use Fluoride: We get fluoride from treated water and fluoride toothpaste. This adds more minerals to your tooth material, helping protect them from decay.
- Visit the Dentist: Make appointments with us twice a year. We all need help controlling bacteria, sores, oral cancer, and other issues.
- Stop Smoking: Any tobacco use hugely increases oral and dental problems. Tobacco products also cause overall health issues and even hike up your insurance costs.
- Limit Alcohol Use: Alcoholic drinks contain sugars that accelerate tooth decay. Alcohol also increases the risk of gum disease.
- Manage Diabetes: Be vigilant to control any diabetes. Diabetes can lead to gum disease and other complications. The treatment of gum disease can help control your blood sugar.
- Reduce Dry Mouth: Dry mouth is dangerous to tooth structure. Switch medications, if a prescription causes dry mouth. Drink more water, chew sugarless gum, and avoid alcohol and tobacco.
- Note Strange Tastes and Smells: If you can’t explain sensory changes, contact us immediately.
- Help the Elderly: If you are caring for an elderly person, help them to brush and floss regularly if they are not able to clean their teeth independently.
- Use Mouthguards: Mouthguards prevent teeth grinding and snoring. They also help young family members avoid tooth damage during sports.
Why Choose Tower Dental in Seattle?
We’re excited to meet with you at Tower Dental. Our team—who we picked for their warmth and skill—will get to know you over the years, track your progress, and keep your unique smile healthy.
We also practice holistic dentistry at Tower Dental. We use state-of-the-art technologies and techniques while keeping your overall health in mind. We avoid substances that damage patients’ bodies in the long term, and we help you maintain healthy habits.
Sitting close to Elliott Bay and the Space Needle, Tower Dental is known as a refined, upscale dental clinic. At the same time, we’re all friendly here. We’ll help you be comfortable during any procedure.
Be sure to schedule preventive dentistry exams in advance so we see you every six months. This is vital for catching and controlling dental issues. This helps you avoid cavities, extractions, root canals, and so on. We might even catch oral cancer or other serious problems in time for treatment.
Schedule an Appointment With Us Today!
Let’s protect your beautiful smile for many years. Contact us by phone, email, or online form to make your next appointment or to ask us any questions about preventive dentistry.