Preventative Services

Even though most people know about regular dental checkups, the average person is not aware of the importance of having routine cleanings at the dental office or the impact oral health has on general well-being.

Early signs of dental and oral issues can be discovered during a routine dental checkup. In addition to dental decay, early signs of gingivitis or gum disease can be addressed and stopped with general dentistry before they have an opportunity to cause real damage to your gums and teeth. Taking care of dental problems in their earliest stages also saves you time and money. When you have regular cleanings and checkups, your dentist in Chesapeake, VA, can better monitor your oral health and even prevent some problems from starting.

Cavities and gum disease are always on the radar of dentists and hygienists. However, that is not all. Comprehensive dental exams also include an exam of the soft tissues of the mouth and neck, as well as alignment of the teeth and other oral health issues.

An oral cancer screening only takes a few minutes; however, it can save your life if cancer is discovered. Due to a lack of screening, thousands of people are victims of undetected oral cancer. About 20% of the general population has this lifesaving annual exam. As part of our commitment to a high standard of oral health care, we perform oral cancer screenings as part of our comprehensive dental exam.

Dental sealants can be a good way to protect hard-to-reach teeth from decay. Sealants can last up to 10 years and are often used with younger children, but can also be used on babies, teenagers, and adults as well for long-term cavity prevention.

These thin plastic coatings are brushed onto the grooves of your back teeth (pre-molars and molars), where it can be difficult to brush and floss to “seal out” plaque and food.

The expert dental team at Modern Family Dentistry in Chesapeake can apply sealants as necessary and help you find out if this preventative dental service is covered under your insurance plan.

Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) is another method of preventing cavities from forming or spreading. It’s a chemical compound made up of silver, water, fluoride, and ammonia.

SDF is a preventative dental service that dentists or other oral health professionals at Modern Family Dentistry can administer. SDF is in the form of a liquid that is applied to the surface of the teeth.

Silver diamine fluoride can be a helpful option for our patients who aren’t able to get to the dentist as frequently for check-ups. While it doesn’t replace a regular visit to your dentist, it can help protect your teeth from cavities, is a painless process, and would typically only need to be applied once per year.