Preventive Dentistry

Overdue for a teeth cleaning and oral exam in San Diego? Dr. Wallrich is always accepting new patients at Harbor Family Dental. As a family dentist, he can treat patients of all ages. Contact us now to get the care you need to protect your oral health and avoid tooth decay, gum disease, and more.

The Benefits Of Preventive Dentistry

First, preventive dentistry helps prevent common oral health issues like cavities and gum disease. This saves you time and money, and keeps your mouth healthy. Six-month visits are also covered by dental insurance, which means seeing the dentist for a twice-yearly visit lets you make the most of your dental plan.

You’ll also get valuable peace of mind. After every visit, you’ll know that your mouth is healthy and free of any serious oral health problems. And in the event that Dr. Wallrich does notice an issue, he will schedule your follow-up right away to ensure you get the treatment you need in Point Loma.

How Often Should I Visit The Dentist?

The ADA and all other major dental associations recommend twice-yearly teeth cleanings and oral exams, and that’s our recommendation at Harbor Family Dental, too. Some patients may need more frequent visits, particularly those with gum disease, but six-month intervals are ideal for most people.

Teeth Cleanings & Oral Exams

During your routine appointment, one of our dental hygienists will begin by scraping away plaque and tartar from your teeth, buffing and polishing them, and flossing to remove any remaining debris. X-rays are also usually taken once per year.

Then, Dr. Wallrich will come in and examine your mouth. He will look for signs of common oral health problems like gum disease and tooth decay, and discuss his findings with you. Then, you’ll schedule any necessary follow-ups, and you’ll be sent home. It’s just that simple!

Fluoride Treatments

Fluoride treatments can be used on patients of all ages, and are usually done after a routine cleaning and oral exam. In this procedure, Dr. Wallrich will apply a thin layer of fluoride-rich liquid to your teeth. This attracts minerals that can strengthen the enamel and even reverse the initial stage of tooth decay. In turn, this protects your oral health.

Dental Sealants

Sealants are a great way to prevent cavities in the rear teeth. In this procedure, Dr. Wallrich will apply a special type of liquid dental resin to the molars, then activate it with a UV light. This forms a barrier that protects the teeth from direct contact with acid, bacteria, and food particles. When properly applied, this prevents cavity formation for up to 5 years or longer.

Scaling & Root Planing

Scaling & root planing, also called a “deep cleaning,” is a treatment used to treat gum disease. In this procedure, Dr. Wallrich will clean deeply between the teeth and gums to eliminate pockets of bacteria and restore your oral health. Half of the mouth is treated at once, so this treatment typically takes 2 appointments over a period of 1-2 weeks.

Oral Cancer Screenings

Oral cancer is rare, but often goes unnoticed unless a dentist recognizes the signs early. As part of every oral exam at Harbor Family Dental, Dr. Wallrich will look for signs of oral cancer. This gives you peace of mind, and ensures that you can get further diagnosis and treatment right away if Dr. Wallrich notices any abnormalities.

How Do I Care for My Teeth At Home? 

Brushing - You should brush your teeth with a soft-bristle toothbrush in the morning and at night. Brush for a minimum of 2 minutes with fluoride toothpaste. 

You should hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle so you can scrub your teeth and gum line to remove food particles and plaque. 

Gently brush your teeth in circular motions, on all surfaces of your teeth, and remember to brush the top of your tongue to prevent a buildup of bacteria that can cause bad breath.

Flossing - There are plenty of different types of floss on the market for you to use, but the most important thing is that you commit to flossing once a day, in between all of your teeth. You can use thread floss, a water flosser, or an interdental brush to do this. 

We recommend water flossers for patients with braces or dental work like dental bridges. It’s effective at getting into the crevices of the teeth and working around metal wires that are blocking the surfaces of your teeth. 

Do not neglect to floss. ⅓ of your tooth surfaces are located in between your teeth. If you fail to floss once a day, you can develop cavities between your teeth, known as interproximal cavities. This is the most common form of tooth decay because many people skip flossing.

Fluoride - Fluoride is a best friend to your teeth. You should use fluoride toothpaste and drink fluoridated water. It restores minerals to your teeth, which strengthens them and makes them resistant to acid attacks and bacteria that lead to cavities. 

If your drinking water is not supplemented with fluoride, you may need to use extra fluoride in the form of mouthwashes or varnishes.

Diet - Limit your consumption of sugar, carbohydrates, and acidic foods and drinks. A diet high in sugar increases your risk of developing cavities because bacteria feed off of sugar and transform them into acids that attack your tooth enamel.

What Type of Toothbrush Should I Be Using? 

As long as you use a soft-bristle toothbrush, the type of toothbrush you use is up to personal preference. We recommend that you choose one that feels most comfortable to you and will help you clean your teeth as thoroughly as possible. 

It is advantageous to get a toothbrush that has a small head because it allows you to work into smaller crevices and hard-to-reach areas. Electric toothbrushes are more effective at removing plaque and take a lot of the work out of brushing. However, manual toothbrushes can be just as effective when used properly.

Is Preventive Care Covered By Insurance?

Yes, preventive dental care is the most widely covered field of dentistry. Most dental insurance policies will cover 80-100% of dental treatments such as dental cleanings, checkups, X-rays, dental sealants, fillings, and fluoride treatments. 

This is because these preventive treatments save time and money on oral health problems that would worsen and become severe without them. This would require more invasive and costly treatment later on. 

Contact your insurance provider to find out what specific preventive treatments they will cover, and to what extent they will cover them. Contact us at Harbor Family Dental today to schedule a preventive dental appointment with Dr. Ryan Wallrich.