Preventive Dentistry in Reno, NV

Keep Your Smile Healthy

The Importance Of Regular Dental Visits

Regular preventive dentistry in Reno is the best way to safeguard your oral health, get peace of mind, and avoid common oral health problems like cavities and gum disease. Dr. Dean is always here to help you get the care you need at , so contact us today to get started. Don't hesitate to give us a call or stop by our office located at 620 Humboldt Street, Reno, NV 89509.

Maintain Your Mouth

Teeth Cleanings & Oral Exams

Six-month teeth cleanings and oral exams are recognized by the ADA as one of the best ways to prevent cavities, gum disease, and other serious oral health problems. During your appointment, your teeth will be professionally cleaned and polished by a dental hygienist. We’ll also take x-rays to look for hidden oral health issues. Then, your Reno dentist will examine and assess your mouth to ensure you’re free of common problems like gum disease and cavities.

Why Do I Need

An Oral Cancer Screening?

An oral cancer screening is a useful prevention tool used to identify precancerous or cancerous lesions in the mouth. Early detection is important for reversing the condition. You have the best chances of beating it in the early stages. 

By regularly getting oral screenings, you are less likely to have undetected oral cancer. Dentists are useful in detecting these conditions, as studies show that 84% of all oral cancers are detected in the early stage by a dental professional.

These are usually done during a routine checkup and cleaning. We will look for any visual abnormalities in the mouth such as lumps and we may also feel around the jaw, cheeks, and chin to feel for lumps or nodules. It’s important to get an oral cancer screening if you have an increased risk factors, like if you are:

• Over 40 years old
• Male
• Heavy alcohol drinker
• Smoker or tobacco user
• Sun exposure
• History of oral cancer

Do I Need

X-Rays Taken?

There are two main reasons that dentists take x-rays and those are for therapeutic and diagnostic purposes.

Therapeutic X-Rays - These include x-rays that would be taken during a routine appointment to rule out any potential oral health problems like tooth decay, a tooth infection, or gum disease. These are typically taken every 3 years unless you are seeing a new dentist who does not have your records on file.

Diagnostic X-Rays - These are the x-rays that would be taken if you came to the dentist with a specific problem or symptom. For example, if you are having wisdom tooth pain or if you have symptoms of a tooth infection, you may need a panoramic x-ray to look at where the wisdom teeth are sitting in your jaw or to look at the dental pulp inside of the tooth. This can help us determine what is going on and how to proceed.

What Is the

Proper Brushing Technique?

The proper brushing technique is to hold a soft bristle toothbrush at a 45-degree angle and brush in circular motions with fluoride toothpaste. You can choose to use a manual or electric toothbrush, which is mostly up to personal preference. 

However, electric toothbrushes make it easier to properly brush and remove plaque. Having a toothbrush with a smaller head can also be advantageous for getting into hard-to-reach spaces in the back of the mouth.

You must brush your teeth twice a day for 2-3 minutes each time. This will ensure you remove enough food particles and plaque. Avoid using hard-bristled toothbrushes or brushing too hard which can erode your enamel. Don’t forget to brush your tongue, too!

Do I Need

to Floss?

Yes, if you want to avoid cavities, tooth decay, and gum disease, you need to floss between all of your teeth at least once a day. Failing to floss leaves ⅓ of surfaces of your teeth festering with food particles and bacteria that lead to plaque buildup and cavities.

People tend to neglect the spaces in between the teeth, but this can cause interproximal cavities (cavities in between the teeth). Use traditional thread floss, a water flosser, or an interdental brush. Just make sure that you work your way between all of the teeth, up to the gum line.

Water flossers are better for people with certain restorations like dental bridges or orthodontics like braces that make it difficult to reach between the teeth.