Preventive Dentistry – Portland, OR
Simple Steps Toward Lifelong Oral Health
At first glance, the little things—like brushing and flossing your teeth every day—may not seem very significant. However, these small habits, combined with the preventive services that we provide, are exactly how you can protect your smile from harm and keep it healthy for many years to come. At ADANW, we work with you to attain and maintain optimal oral health, to enhance and improve every part of your life. Because everything looks better, works better, and lasts longer when it is taken good care of.
Why Choose Advanced Dental Arts NW for Preventive Dentistry?
- Oral Cancer Screenings at Every Dental Checkup
- Extra Protection with Fluoride and Dental Sealant Treatments
- Passionate, Experienced Team Dedicated to Your Comfort
Dental Checkups & Teeth Cleanings
You already know that regular preventive dental visits are extremely important to maintaining your dental health and reducing both the severity and frequency of problems like decay or tooth breakage. That is why, at Advanced Dental Arts NW, we’ll work with you to establish a care schedule with our hygienist, so that at least twice a year, your teeth and gums will be sparkling, and we’ll also assess and treat any problem areas.
Learn More About Dental Checkups & Teeth Cleanings
All-Digital X-Rays
We use digital X-rays for their ease of use and their higher quality images compared to traditional film. X-rays, and especially digital X-rays, are a wonderful tool in diagnosing all sorts of medical and dental diseases because they let us “see” changes that are invisible or hidden from the naked eye. In this way, we can catch decay very early before it has caused significant dental damage, allowing us to restore a tooth with the bare minimum of discomfort and loss of natural tooth structure. We can also assess the density of bone for dental implants or the condition of the roots or nerves of the teeth. We can also screen for cysts or any impacted teeth far within the bone.
Oral Cancer Screening
Did you know that oral cancer is the sixth most common type of cancer? It is estimated that nearly 53,000 people will be newly diagnosed with it this year. As an experienced, skilled dentist, Dr. Teasdale is able to identify the early signs of this disease, and our VELscope device helps him detect potentially cancerous cells before they even become apparent to the naked eye. Basically, the VELscope shines a special light onto your oral tissues, and any areas of concern will illuminate a certain color. Dr. Teasdale can then refer you to a doctor for further tests and diagnosis if needed. This step could lead to earlier treatment, which equates to a higher likelihood of beating cancer!
Learn More About Oral Cancer Screenings
At-Home Oral Hygiene Products
Daily oral care at home is absolutely essential to maintaining a healthy, beautiful smile, and it’s important to use the right hygiene products. In general, we recommend Crest and Colgate products because they have been proven over time to work in preventing decay. If you would like more guidance for a specific issue, just contact our team. We would be happy to recommend helpful products to keep your smile safe and strong.
Children’s Dentistry
At Advanced Dental Arts NW, we are committed to giving our patients—especially our young ones—a positive dental experience during every visit. When your child’s first tooth erupts, it’s time to bring them to our dental office for their first checkup! Early on, Dr. Teasdale and our team will focus on helping your child feel comfortable and will gently inspect their mouth to make sure that their oral cavity is developing in a healthy way. As they grow and become familiar with us, we’ll add in dental cleanings as well. Our family-friendly team can also help your child learn the skills they will need to have a strong smile throughout their lifetime.
Fluoride Treatments
Your teeth are constantly surrounded by bacteria. When you eat, harmful bacteria can feed on food particles and create plaque, a white sticky substance that adheres to your teeth. Over time, the bacteria create acids that can erode your enamel, the outer protective layer of your teeth. While daily brushing and flossing are excellent ways to get rid of plaque, your teeth can still be vulnerable to cavities. During your biannual checkup and cleaning, we can apply fluoride, a mineral that strengthens your enamel and helps it withstand these acids. This treatment can help protect your teeth from cavities until your next checkup appointment.
Dental Sealants
Did you know that most cavities, especially in children, occur on the chewing surfaces of the molars and premolars? These back teeth can be more challenging to reach and clean thoroughly because of their deep grooves. That’s where dental sealants can come in! We can quickly apply a protective layer of clear dental plastic onto these teeth to prevent bacteria and food particles from accumulating on them. According to the CDC, dental sealants can prevent up to 80% of cavities and last for about 10 years!
Occlusal Disease
A bad bite can cause great damage. To your teeth. To your TMJ and muscles. To your bone support. To your posture. To your appearance and well-being. To the quality of your sleep, and of your day. To your digestion. To pretty much everything. At ADANW, we look for this, with every patient, because ignoring it comes at such a great cost. It is the big reason why teeth and restorations break, why TMJ/TMD pain occurs, why jaws appear off center, and why teeth shift. Like all such diseases, Occlusal Disease is best treated early and comprehensively. We take the time to evaluate you fully, and to candidly discuss it with you.
Mouthguards
Thousands of dentists around the country use mouthguards to solve a wide variety of problems, from teeth grinding to headaches to TMD and more. Unfortunately, in most cases, these mouthguards only treat the symptoms of the problem, not the source, and many of them cause the condition to worsen. At ADANW, Dr. Teasdale always focuses on addressing the root cause of a patient’s issue so they enjoy lasting results and comfort. If you have been prescribed a mouthguard in the past or believe you might need one, then you should definitely read Dr. Teasdale’s thoughts on the subject.