Preventive Dentistry In Bristol, CT

What Is Preventive Dentistry?

Preventive dentistry focuses on catching oral health issues like cavities early, and preventing them entirely when possible. With routine preventive care from Dr. Prashant Sinha at PS Dental - Bristol, you can keep your mouth healthy, save time and money, and get peace of mind. Contact us now to schedule a consultation, and take control of your oral health with preventive dental care in Bristol, CT.

preventive dentist in Glastonbury

Did you know…

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Six-month checkups are the best way to prevent common oral health issues like cavities and gum disease.

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What To Expect At Your Preventive Dentistry Appointment

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X-rays and teeth cleaning

If you’re a new patient, our team will begin by taking x-rays of your mouth. Then, one of our dental hygienists will clean your teeth. They will remove plaque and tartar from your teeth, floss your teeth, and then polish them to ensure they're clean and healthy.

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Oral exam

After your teeth cleaning, Dr. Sinha will enter the room to review your x-rays and perform a comprehensive oral exam. He will check for cavities, gum disease, oral cancer, and a wide variety of other potential oral health issues.

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Treatment plan and follow-ups

Once your oral exam is over, Dr. Sinha will discuss his findings with you, as well as any recommended follow-ups. If you don’t have any oral health issues, you’ll just need to schedule your next six-month checkup. But if you do have issues like cavities or gum disease, Dr. Sinha will discuss your options, and recommend the next steps to restore your oral health.

Preventive Treatment Options

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Cleanings & Hygiene

Teeth cleanings and oral exams are at the heart of preventive dentistry. During your teeth cleaning, your dental hygienist will remove plaque and tartar buildup that can’t be eliminated with at-home brushing alone. This helps protect your oral health, keeps your breath fresh, and helps remove surface stains from your teeth, too.

Digital X-Rays

We recommend that patients get x-rays every year. X-rays let Dr. Sinha and our team look below the surface, and find hidden oral health issues that may not be easily visible with an oral exam alone. We use advanced digital x-ray technology to provide the highest-quality images, speed up treatments, and reduce radiation exposure during your appointment.

Fluoride Treatments

In a fluoride treatment, Dr. Sinha or one of our team members will apply a fluoride-rich liquid to your teeth. This is left in place for a few minutes, then rinsed away. Fluoride helps attract minerals to your teeth, strengthening them and even reversing minor tooth decay.

Dental Sealants

Dental sealants consist of a thin layer of transparent, liquid dental resin that is applied to your rear teeth. Then, this liquid resin is hardened with a special UV light. This forms a strong, protective barrier that prevents the formation of cavities in treated teeth. Dental sealants are an excellent option if you’re cavity-prone and want to reduce your risk of future cavities.

Periodontal Care

More than half of all American adults have gum disease, and most of them are not even aware that they're affected by gum disease. At PS Dental - Bristol, we offer expert periodontal care to help you fight back against gum disease, halt or reverse its progression, and restore your oral health.

Oral Cancer Screenings

Oral cancer is rare, but is very deadly if it’s not recognized early. During each oral exam at our office, Dr. Sinha will perform an oral cancer screening to look for any abnormalities in your mouth. This gives you peace of mind, and ensures you can get any necessary follow-ups right away.

Night Guards

Night guards are recommended for patients who experience teeth grinding (bruxism) at night. If left untreated, bruxism can wear down your teeth, crack or chip your teeth, and contribute to other oral health issues like TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint Disorder). With a night guard, you can cushion your teeth with a comfortable, custom-fitted mouthguard, and prevent tooth damage due to bruxism.

Sports Mouth Guards

We offer custom-built sports mouth guards to protect your teeth during contact sports or other hobbies like mountain biking and skateboarding. With a sports mouth guard, you can dramatically reduce your risk of oral injuries from hits in contact sports, slips, falls, and other types of dental trauma.

Did you know…

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Tooth enamel is the hardest substance in your entire body.

Interested in preventive care?

Have questions about preventive dentistry? Find answers here.

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What is the proper way to brush my teeth?

You should brush your teeth at least two times a day for two minutes at a time. Begin by holding your brush at a 45-degree angle relative to your teeth and gums. Clean the front, back, and chewing surfaces of each tooth using small, circular strokes, spending about 30 seconds on each quadrant of your mouth. Make sure your toothpaste has fluoride, and is ADA-approved, and remember to replace your toothbrush or electric toothbrush head every 3-4 months.

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How do I floss properly?

Begin by gathering around 24 inches of dental floss. Wrap most of it around one index or middle finger, and wind the remaining few inches around the index finger of your other hand. Holding about a 1-inch section, keep it taught between your fingers and thumbs as you gently glide the floss between your teeth. Use a gentle rocking motion instead of trying to force the floss down, as it can slip and that force can damage your gums. When the floss is between your teeth, take it into the gum line following the c-shaped curve of the tooth to dislodge plaque and bacteria. Keep repeating this process for both sides of every tooth, keeping sure to wind a new 1-inch section each time to help prevent the spread of bacteria.

What's the difference between prophylactic cleanings and periodontal cleanings?

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Prophylactic cleanings are also referred to as “regular cleanings.” These are the cleanings you receive during your regular dental appointments, and are important to get every 6 months to help prevent decay and keep bad breath at bay. We will remove any buildup of plaque, tartar, or bacteria from your teeth and floss between them to ensure your smile stays healthy and free of debris.

Periodontal cleanings, also known as “deep cleanings,” are only required for patients with periodontal, or gum, disease. As the name suggests, these sessions are more thorough than regular cleanings. During your visit, Dr. Sinha or your hygienist will carefully scrape away plaque and tartar that has built up between your teeth and gums, as well as taking care to smooth out the roots of your teeth, to eliminate pockets that can trap bacteria and perpetuate gum disease. Deep cleanings are an important part of every periodontal maintenance routine, and are meant to help those suffering from gum disease preserve their oral health.

Is preventive care covered by dental insurance?

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For most patients, dental insurance policies fully cover routine preventive care like cleanings, exams, and x-rays. Even if preventive care is not 100% covered by your insurance plan, it will likely be at least partially covered. Some plans may even cover treatments that are considered optional, such as dental sealants and fluoride treatments. For specific details about your insurance plan, get in touch with us today, and find out how we can help maximize your benefits.

Did you know…

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The average person smiles about 40 times a day!