Routine Dental Care for the Whole Family

At Paul Sioda Dental, we provide routine dental care, restorations, and treatment for other complex dental issues you may have. In our Tacoma dental office, we have found that taking care of your teeth and planning routine visits can prevent many common oral health problems, including cavities, tooth infections, and gum disease. If you want to keep your adult teeth intact, it is critical that you continue to receive routine dental care, regardless of how old you are. Many adults skip their annual dental visit because they associate the need with children and the elderly. As a Tacoma dentist, we know many adults lose teeth and develop oral health problems with age because they didn’t get preventive care in their 20s, 30s, 40s, and 50s. You only have one set of teeth, and we recommend that you do what you can to take care of them now, while you still can. If you haven’t visited the dentist in a while, call 253-759-7941 and schedule an appointment for your dental exam.

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How often should I visit the dentist?
Many of our patients ask how frequently they should visit our office for routine dental care. This is an understandable question because most people associate going to the doctor or dentist with visits to stop discomfort or a perceived health issue. Visiting the dentist is a little different. We want to see you when you aren’t experiencing any problems so that we can keep it that way. Typically, when plaque and bacteria form on the teeth, you won’t see an immediate problem, but if it is left there, you can develop cavities and gum disease. Even small cavities won’t always cause immediate discomfort, making it hard to judge your mouth's condition at home. This is why you should visit our office twice a year.

 

We can examine your teeth, identify issues early, and treat them right away. Our team will also clean your teeth at this time to help prevent gum disease and infections. If you are a diabetic, you may need to visit our office three or four times per year, depending on how often you have a diabetic episode. This is because uncontrolled blood sugar inhibits white blood cells' ability to fight infection, including bacteria in your mouth. At Paul Sioda Dental, we treat diabetic patients and can coordinate your care with your medical physician as necessary. If you are otherwise healthy and not in any discomfort, we recommend a dental exam and teeth cleaning at least once a year.

 

Does everyone need to visit the dentist?
Yes! At Paul Sioda Dental, we recommend that everyone visit the dentist at least once per year, regardless of age. Even toddlers need to see the dentist, and so do seniors, even those who wear dentures. This is because everyone is susceptible to getting cavities and gum disease. For example, baby bottle tooth decay can impact two-year-olds who are prone to taking a bottle or juice to bed. At the same time, even seniors who have experienced full tooth loss need to see the dentist to ensure there are no gum issues and that their dentures still fit properly. Tooth loss leads to resorption, so the jawbone changes, which can lead to ill-fitting and uncomfortable dentures. With that in mind, regardless of how old you are or what your situation is – you should visit the dentist for routine dental care.

 

What procedures should I schedule as part of my routine dental care?
When you visit our Tacoma, WA office for routine dental care, we will do several things. First, we will visually examine your teeth. We will examine every tooth to determine whether you have any tooth decay. We will also examine your gums for signs of gum disease and take images of your mouth to check for infections not visible to the naked eye. If we identify anything, we will discuss a treatment plan with you. Otherwise, we will clean your teeth and gums. Depending on your age, we will also recommend procedures to help prevent future cavities. For example, we often recommend fluoride as part of routine dental care. Fluoride is a mineral that, when placed on the teeth, can strengthen them and reduce the risk of getting cavities by 30 percent. If you tend to get cavities or live in an area of 98406 that doesn’t have city water, this simple procedure can help you to stay healthy. As a bonus, getting a fluoride treatment is painless and fast.

 

In children, we often recommend dental sealants as well, since they can be placed on teeth with deep ridges and act as a barrier, preventing plaque and bacteria from becoming trapped and causing cavities. In adults, this is not a common procedure; however, if you are experiencing tooth sensitivity, we can take preventive steps to keep it from worsening. Tooth sensitivity normally occurs due to a loss of enamel. This leaves the dentin underneath exposed and susceptible to irritation when you eat or drink. We can perform a bonding procedure to protect the dentin. To do so, we will apply a tooth-colored material to the surface of your teeth, shape it, and harden it with a special light. Once done, you will have a natural-looking outer layer that replaces your lost enamel and reduces or eliminates any sensitivity that you may be feeling. This procedure can be easily done during routine dental care and often prevents the need for crowns in the future. To learn more about bonding, call 253-759-7941 and schedule an appointment with our Tacoma dental office.

 

What steps should I take at home?
Routine dental care must also include good oral hygiene at home. At Paul Sioda Dental, we recommend brushing your teeth with a soft toothbrush for two minutes at a time, twice a day. You should buy a new toothbrush every three months, brush with a fluoride toothpaste, and use circular motions. Follow this with flossing once a day, drinking water, and avoiding foods high in sugar or acid. This will help your teeth remain strong and healthy between dental visits.

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HELPFUL RELATED LINKS

• American Dental Association (ADA). Glossary of Dental Terms. 2015

• American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry® (AACD). Home Page. 2015

• WebMD. WebMD’s Oral Care Guide. 2015