Why Is Preventative Dental Care Important?
Your preventative care is important to us. With the help of routine cleanings and exams in Huntington Beach, your smile can stay healthy and beautiful. The American Dental Association recommends two cleanings per year. Essentially, get your teeth cleaning done every 6 months!
Some preventative dental care services include:
- Fluoride
- Sealants
- Prophylactic Cleaning
- Periodontal Cleanings
- Oral Cancer Screenings
- CBCT Scans (Cone-beam computed tomography)
Benefits of Dental Cleaning and Exams
Prevents Gum Disease
LESSENS RISK OF tooth decay
removes plaque, tartar buildup, and bacteria trapped in teeth and gums
keep your breath fresh
Regular (Prophylactic) vs Periodontal Cleaning
In the Huntington Beach office, your “regular”, preventative dental cleanings are referred to as prophylactic cleaning. This type of routine cleaning is for patients with healthy gums.
Periodontal cleanings are referred to as “deep cleaning.” These deep cleanings occur when gum disease is present within a patient. It is much more thorough in trying to eliminate plaque, tartar buildup, and pockets of trapped bacteria.
Did You Know...
If you don't floss, you're leaving plaque on 40% of your tooth surfaces!
Panoramic X-Rays
When searching for issues in the teeth, gums, or jaws, we take a look with panoramic radiographs. Panoramic x-rays are more comprehensive than regular digital x-rays.
The machine moves around your entire head to capture the single image of your teeth, gums, and jaws. This gives the dentist a broader view of your mouth in high detail.
Panoramic X-Rays Can Diagnose:
- Periodontal Disease
- Cysts, Tumors, or Oral Cancer
- Sinusitis
- Impacted Wisdom Teeth
- Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD)
3D Imaging
Beyond your usual bitewings, panoramic (PANO), or full mouth series x-rays (FMX), Kali Dental offers a CBCT scan.
The cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) uses cone-shaped x-rays to capture data that are then converted into a 3D image of your teeth, mouth, jaw, neck, ears, nose, and throat.
3D imaging is incredibly popular and useful in dental implant planning, evaluation of the jaws and face, cavity and root canal diagnosis, and dental trauma detection.
Limited Exams
Are you experiencing pain? Is there an area of concern with your oral health?
Kali Dental can perform a limited exam instead to help quickly address the issue. We’ll figure out what’s hurting in your mouth, so we can get you out of pain and back to normal again.
Also visit our DENTAL EMERGENCY page for more info.
The Process For Preventative Dental Care
X-Rays If Needed
X-rays help us get a diagnosis of what’s going on beneath the surface of your smile.
Comprehensive Exam
We’ll take a thorough look at your teeth, gums, and the rest of your mouth. If any issues are spotted, we’ll share our findings and help you figure out your next steps.
Personalized Treatment Plan
The provided treatment plan will be customized to include your unique oral health needs, budget, and lifestyle in mind.
Professional Cleaning
We scrap off any plaque and remove tartar that may have built up along the gum line. We thoroughly floss between your teeth in all those hard-to-reach places. We finish up with polishing your teeth.
Schedule Follow-Up Appointment
Before you leave, we’ll be able to schedule your next visit. Not sure of your schedule yet?
You can book later via text
(657) 800-5254
Frequently Asked Questions
Is preventative care covered by health insurance?
The vast majority of dental insurance policies fully cover routine preventive care like cleanings, exams, and x-rays. Even if it’s not completely covered by your insurance plan, chances are it is at least partially covered. Certain plans may even cover optional treatments, like dental sealants and fluoride treatments.
Get in touch with your provider for specific details about your insurance plan, or give us a call today and find out how we can help maximize your benefits.
How do I brush my teeth properly?
Keeping up with good brushing habits is integral to your oral health, and using the proper technique can help keep your mouth free from decay. Brush your teeth at least twice a day for two minutes at a time. Hold your brush at a 45-degree angle and use small, circular strokes to clean the front, back, and chewing surfaces of each tooth. You should spend about 30 seconds on each quadrant of your mouth.
Use toothpaste that is ADA-approved and rich in fluoride. Don’t forget to replace your toothbrush or electric toothbrush head every 3-4 months, or when the bristles start to look frayed or worn.
How do I floss properly?
Daily flossing is the best way to dislodge plaque and bacteria to keep gum disease at bay, and can be easy once you know the proper technique:
Gather 24 inches of dental floss, wrapping most of it around one index or middle finger. Wind the remaining few inches around the index finger of your other hand, keeping about 1-inch of floss taut between your fingers and thumbs. Gently glide the floss between your teeth. If you’re having trouble getting the floss between your teeth, try not to force it, as it can slip and cause damage to your gums.
Instead, use a gentle side-to-side rocking motion to get the floss where it needs to be. Once the floss is between your teeth, slide it into the gum line while following the c-shaped curve of the tooth. Repeat this process for both sides of every tooth. To help prevent the spread of bacteria, be sure to wind a new 1-inch section of floss before moving on to the next tooth.