Redwood city Preventive Dentistry

Preventive dental care is critical at any age to help maintain great oral health, and that's why Dr. Ghina Morad sees entire families for their routine dental cleanings. Dr. Morad is highly trained in a breadth of service, so you can feel confident she'll use her skills to keep your smile healthy.

Why is preventive dental care important?

Preventive dentistry is your foundation for a healthy smile. With regular cleanings and exams, small dental issues can be caught before they turn into large and costly problems. Preventive dental care along with a diligent at-home brushing and flossing routine can help prevent dental issues all together. It's these small investments in your oral hygiene that lead to a beautiful, healthy smile. Schedule a consultation at the our Redwood City dental office today or stop by our office located at 2920 Broadway, Redwood City, CA 94061.

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preventive dentistry redwood city

Trust a nationally recognized dentist in Redwood City

Dr. Morad and our staff are passionate about helping patients of all ages feel comfortable, safe and well-cared for. To give patients the best oral health care, Dr. Morad has received additional training in both advanced dental technology and advanced techniques. She continues to further her education, both in dentistry and orthodontics, which has earned her national recognition. As her patient, you will receive top-quality care and comprehensive treatment surrounded by staff who will make you feel at home.

What can I expect at my preventive care appointment?

For most new patients, we'll start by taking any necessary x-rays and examining the teeth, gums and mouth. Once we understand the state of your oral health, we can provide the cleaning that's right for you. Then we focus in on a treatment plan to address any issues you may have with your smile.

Comprehensive Exam & Any Necessary X-Rays
Thorough Cleaning
Treatment Plan

The proof is in our patients

Preventive care in Redwood City

Preventive Care in Redwood City

Oral Cancer Screenings & Oral Pathology Exam

Oral cancer screenings are an essential part of preventive care. Oral cancer is often hard to detect until it spreads more widely and becomes more serious. However, your dentist can detect signs early simply by performing an oral exam at your biannual dental appointments. During your comprehensive exam, Dr. Morad will inspect the soft tissue inside your mouth, including the cheeks, tongue, and gums, to check for abnormalities.  

At our Redwood City office we use VELscope® -a special machine that uses "Reflective Light Technology" to detect any early changes in the lining of the mouth or tongue before it can be visible to the eyes. Your dentist will examine your mouth, gums, and oral tissues. They will look for discolored patches, lumps, growths, and other such abnormalities. In the rare case that an issue is found, a biopsy can be taken and sent to a specialist for further analysis, or your dentist will refer you to a specialist directly.

Consistent dental visits allow your dentist to become familiar with your oral health, which in turn, allows them to more easily notice when there may be something wrong.

teeth cleaning

Cleaning & Hygiene

Teeth cleanings are essential for maintaining a healthy mouth. Seeing an oral hygienist and a dentist every six months ensures that minor stains, plaque, and bacteria can be removed from your teeth, and that your smile remains healthy and strong.

Good at-home oral hygiene is also important. Make sure you brush at least twice a day for two minutes using fluoride-based toothpaste, and floss once per day to get rid of food particles, plaque, and bacteria that can’t be removed with brushing alone.

xrays

Digital X-Rays

Digital x-rays are faster, provide higher-resolution images, and expose patients to less radiation than traditional film x-rays. They’re also typically more comfortable for the patient and more precise in their imagery, which allows the doctor to make more accurate diagnoses. Comprehensive digital x-rays are usually taken every few years, although your doctor may recommend additional x-rays if they suspect a dental issue or if you’re experiencing a dental emergency.

flouride

Fluoride Treatments

Fluoride treatments can be applied to the teeth after any teeth cleaning. Your dentist will apply a layer of fluoride-rich gel or paste directly to your teeth, and leave it in place for several minutes. Then, it will be rinsed away.

After treatment, the fluoride will attract minerals like calcium and phosphates to your teeth, strengthening and “remineralizing” them. This, in turn, helps prevent the formation of cavities.

dental sealants

Dental Sealants

Dental sealants are a great way to fight back against cavities, and can be used on patients of all ages. Sealants are made up of a layer of liquid dental resin, which your dentist will apply directly to the rear teeth. Usually, sealants are only used on the rear teeth because their deep crevices are more prone to cavities. 

This resin is hardened using a UV light, creating a strong, transparent barrier. This blocks food debris, acid, and bacteria from contact with your enamel. A strong dental sealant can prevent the formation of cavities for up to 10 years.

periodontal

Periodontal Care

Periodontal care is an essential part of preventive dentistry for patients who have gum disease. The first stage of gum disease is known as “gingivitis,” and it can be reversed with specialized deep cleanings and proper at-home oral hygiene. It’s important to see your dentist for regular checkups so they can monitor your oral health and ensure gingivitis is at bay.

Patients with more advanced cases of gum disease can never fully eradicate the disease, although it can be maintained with more frequent, deep cleanings. Routine periodontal maintenance cleanings are typically scheduled every 3 months and can halt the progression of the disease, keeping their oral health under control.

Have questions about preventive dentistry? Find answers here.

What’s the proper brushing technique?

You need to brush at least twice a day for two minutes each time. While brushing, hold your brush at a 45-degree angle to your teeth and gums, and use small, circular strokes to clean the front, back, and chewing surfaces of each tooth. You should spend about 30 seconds on each quadrant of your mouth.  

In addition, remember to replace your toothbrush or electric toothbrush head every 3-4 months, and to use an ADA-approved toothpaste with fluoride.

How do you floss correctly?

First, unroll about 18-24 inches of floss. Wind most of the floss around the index or middle finger of one of your hands. Then, wind the last few inches around the index or middle finger of your opposite hand.  

Use your thumbs to pinch a 1-inch section of floss between your fingers. Gently move this section of floss between your teeth with a rocking motion. When the floss reaches your gumline, hug the floss against one of your teeth to create a "c" shape and move it up and down to dislodge plaque and bacteria. Do the same motion against the adjacent tooth to clear below both sides of the gum.

Next, gently remove the floss from between your teeth. Wind a new 1-inch section of floss between your fingers, move to the next tooth, and repeat.

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

Prophylactic cleanings are required for all patients. They are the regular cleanings you get every 6 months at your dental appointments. During most cleanings, your dentist or dental hygienist will remove plaque, tartar and bacteria from your teeth, buff and polish them, and then floss your teeth to remove any residual debris.  

Periodontal cleanings are different. They're only needed if you have periodontal or gum disease. This process, also known as a "deep cleaning" is done in two appointments, usually with half of your mouth cleaned at each appointment. Your Redwood City dentist will scrape away plaque and tartar from between your teeth and gums, and smooth the roots of your teeth to eliminate pockets that trap bacteria. Unless you have gum disease, you won't need a periodontal cleaning.

Is preventive care covered by dental insurance?

Most dental insurance policies will cover at least a portion of basic preventive care, and usually 100% is covered. Preventive care treatments include prophylactic teeth cleanings every 6 month, any necessary x-rays (usually once a year), and an annual or biannual dental exam performed by your Redwood City dentist. For children, dental insurance policies may also cover the cost of optional preventive treatments, like dental sealants and fluoride treatments.  

However, insurance policies do differ and it's up to the patient to understand their coverage. Make sure you consult with your provider so you know exactly what's covered and what will likely be out-of-pocket.

How Often Do I Need to Go to the Dentist?

The American Dental Association advises people to go to the dentist every 6 months for a cleaning and checkup. That means visiting the dentist twice a year even if you practice good oral hygiene at home. 

During these visits, we will remove plaque and tartar buildup that contributes to tooth decay and gum disease. We will look for signs of oral cancer and biopsy any abnormalities to send off for lab testing. A checkup will help us detect signs of oral health problems that need to be treated and we will polish your teeth to remove surface stains and bacteria. 

These routine dental visits are important because we can detect oral health problems early enough to reverse them and prevent the need for more costly and invasive treatment later on. Regular dental visits prevent infections and tooth loss. 

Frequent dental cleanings will also keep your breath smelling fresh and your teeth looking white. If you have tooth restorations such as bridges, dentures, crowns, fillings, or dental implants, we can check on the condition of these prostheses to ensure they are in good shape or let you know if it’s time for a replacement. If you need a cleaning and checkup, contact us today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Morad.

What Can I Do to Prevent Erosion?

To prevent enamel erosion, you should eat a nutritious diet that is high in fruits and vegetables and stay hydrated. Limit your consumption of sugar, acids, and try to eat less frequently throughout the day. 

We recommend drinking fluoridated water if you can because the fluoride will remineralize your teeth and protect them from cavities. Otherwise, you should use fluoride-formulated products like mouth rinses and get fluoride treatments. 

Everyone should be brushing their teeth with fluoride toothpaste. Only use soft bristle toothbrushes. Hard bristles are very abrasive and will cause enamel erosion. Don’t brush too hard which can also damage your enamel. Brushing the teeth gently is just as effective.

If you have Dry Mouth, try to stimulate saliva flow by chewing sugar-free gum. If you consume sugary or acidic drinks, try drinking through a straw and rinsing your mouth out with water immediately afterward. Dental sealants can also protect your teeth from cavities and erosion.

Ready for your preventive dental appointment?

Call (650) 592-6396