Preventive Dentistry in Concord, NH

Sealants are a conservative and non-invasive preventive treatment that can protect your back teeth from cavities. They are particularly effective for children who often don’t have the coordination or the patience to brush their back teeth properly, but they can also be used in adults who have deep grooves in their teeth or are at a higher risk for cavities for other reasons.

Cavity Prevention

The sealants are brushed on as a flowable material and then light-cured. The sealants coat and “seal off” the grooves in the back teeth, preventing the bacteria that cause cavities from accessing the area. They provide a smooth, flat surface to make removal of plaque and bacteria easier. The entire process takes minutes, and the only side effect is a bad taste in your mouth that goes away as soon as you rinse. You can eat and drink just minutes after having the sealants placed and they last for years at a time.

At each check-up, we’ll check the condition of your sealants to make sure that they are still in place.

The best way to determine whether sealants are a good choice for you or your child is to schedule an appointment at our Concord dental office. Dr. Bogacz or Dr. Harvey will examine your teeth and discuss both your own history and your family’s dental history with you to see if you can benefit.
 

When you see our hygienist, their number one goal is to provide you the best service they can to achieve oral health.  The type of care they provide is specific to your individual diagnosis or dental condition.  A “cleaning” is a prophylaxis in which bacteria, plaque and tartar/calculus above the gumline is removed in a preventative manner.  Some patients require active therapy of their gums due to the presence of gum inflammation and/or periodontal disease.  This is detected by taking measurements and assessing dental radiographs to detect bone loss.  In order to prevent further bone loss, mobility of teeth and potential loss of teeth, the teeth need to be “cleaned” below the gumline on root surfaces to remove harmful toxins and bacteria.  Superficial, preventative scaling and polishing would not be appropriate for you, as an individual, in this scenario.  We will work with you to provide the best therapy in our office and at home so that you may enjoy your teeth for years to come.  Please call to schedule your next appointment.

Your children’s primary or “baby” teeth are just as important as their permanent or “adult” teeth. They allow your child to chew and speak properly in addition to holding space in their jaw for their permanent teeth. As soon as the first tooth erupts they are at risk for a cavity. We would be happy to have a wellness visit with you and your child at any time to discuss daily brushing and nutrition to lower their risk. 

What to Expect

The ADA and AAP ideally recommend a dental visit by your child’s first birthday.  We can get them more comfortable with sitting in the dental chair, testing out “Mr. Thirsty” and polishing with our special toothbrush. Routine preventative care at a young age will set your child up for dental health success into the future. Please contact us to schedule today!

Healthy gum tissue is firm and pink.  Seeing bleeding of the gums when your brush and/or floss can indicate that you have some form of gum (periodontal) disease.  Please call us to schedule a consult so we can recommend the proper treatment for you in order to decrease your risk for future tooth loss and/or other health concerns.