General Dentistry

For the most part, dentistry is preventative care. The better care you take of your teeth, the less dental work you’ll need in the future. Regular checkups are important to prevent cavities and diagnose tooth problems early. A regular checkup may include digital x-rays, a teeth cleaning and a comprehensive examination from the dentist. Wurzbach Parkway Family Dental provides in-depth dental cleanings and check-ups for its patients.

Regular checkups & teeth cleaning 

Teeth cleanings are performed by our dental hygienists who remove plaque, stains and tartar from surface of your teeth through a special device. After the cleaning, our hygienists will buff and polish your teeth to a healthy shine with a rotating rubber cup or brush to remove the leftover plaque or stains. The hygienist will also discuss any dental hygiene issues that were noticed and help you learn how to brush and floss well.  Regular teeth cleaning helps prevent decay and gum disease from developing.

Dental X-rays

Your dentist may take X-rays to look for decay, gum problems, or any dental issues that need to be taken care of. If you are a new patient, try to bring copies of previous X-rays.

Comprehensive Examination

During this assessment, the dentist will intensely examine your mouth, head, and neck, discuss your medical history and take X-rays. The teeth, gums and mouth will be examined for any changes or problems. A probe might also be used to measure pockets between teeth and gums, and an explorer tool and mouth mirror is used to see if there are any cavities.

Cavities

Cavities are common in children, teens and adults. Many factors cause tooth decay including not brushing or flossing on a regular basis, drinking sugary drinks and frequent snacking. It’s important to get cavities treated before they result in painful toothaches, infection or loss of your tooth structure.  A regular checkup empowers our dentists to spot cavities at the earliest stages and stop decay before it spreads.

If you have a cavity, the dentist will remove the decay from the tooth and fill the area with a resin that matches your tooth shade.  The filled cavity is durable and prevents future decay.

Preventative Care

Make sure you are practicing good oral hygiene at home. The best steps are to brush twice a day and floss daily.

Tips for Brushing Your Teeth

• Always use a soft, bristled tooth brush because hard bristles can damage gums.
• Wet the toothbrush and apply a pea-sized amount of toothpaste.
• Hold the brush at a 45-degree angle toward gums. Clean the upper, front teeth first and then the back. Then switch to the lower teeth.
• Use short, back and forth motions, focusing on the tooth area that is closest to the gums.
• Brush your tongue too to prevent bad breath.