Preventive dentistry
Preventive dental care: stopping problems before they start
Many dental emergencies begin as something small: a cavity that could have been a simple filling, or gum inflammation that could have been reversed. Regular exams, professional cleanings and good daily habits are the most effective way to keep teeth healthy and avoid that 2 a.m. phone call.
- Open 6:00 AM – 9:00 PM daily
- 24/7 Emergency on-call triage
- Led by Dr. Farid Gogani, DDS
Prevention is where Dr. Gogani's career began
Before practicing in California, Dr. Gogani was part of the cariology research team at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden. Cariology is the study of tooth decay, and the team's work focused on caries prevention. That background shapes how we approach every patient: treat what's needed, and help you understand how to keep it from happening again.
Dental exams: what the dentist checks
A preventive exam is a thorough look at the health of your whole mouth, not just a quick glance for cavities. The dentist typically:
- Asks about any changes in your health, medications or symptoms since your last visit
- Examines each tooth for decay, cracks, wear and problems with existing fillings or crowns
- Measures the spaces between gums and teeth to check for gum disease
- Looks at your bite and jaw joints for signs of clenching or grinding
- Checks the tongue, cheeks, palate, throat and lips for anything unusual
- Reviews X-rays, if they're needed
Early decay and early gum disease often cause no pain at all. By the time a tooth hurts, the problem is usually larger, which is exactly why regular exams matter.
Professional cleanings
Even with careful brushing and flossing, plaque can harden into tartar (calculus), especially along the gumline and behind the lower front teeth. Tartar can't be removed with a toothbrush, and it irritates the gums.
What happens during a cleaning
- Scaling: plaque and tartar are removed from tooth surfaces above and just below the gumline.
- Polishing: teeth are polished to remove surface stains and leave a smooth surface that plaque sticks to less easily.
- Flossing and review: areas between teeth are cleaned, and you'll get tips for any spots that need extra attention at home.
If gum disease has created deeper pockets, a deep cleaning (scaling and root planing) may be recommended to clean root surfaces below the gums. This is usually done with local anesthetic for comfort.
Dental X-rays
X-rays let the dentist see what can't be seen in a visual exam: decay between teeth, infection at the tips of roots, bone levels around teeth, and teeth that haven't come in yet. Finding these early can make treatment simpler, often a small filling instead of a root canal.
Modern dental X-rays use a low dose of radiation. The American Dental Association and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommend that dental X-rays be taken only when needed, based on each patient's history, age and risk of disease, rather than on a fixed schedule for everyone. Protective measures are used to limit exposure. Let the dentist know if you are or might be pregnant.
Gum health
Gum disease is a common cause of tooth loss in adults, and in its early stages it often causes no pain. It develops in stages:
| Stage | What you might notice | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Gingivitis | Red, puffy gums that bleed when brushing or flossing | Inflammation from plaque. Usually reversible with a cleaning and better home care. |
| Periodontitis | Receding gums, bad breath, sensitivity, teeth that look longer | Infection damaging the bone and tissue that support teeth. Needs professional treatment and monitoring. |
| Advanced periodontitis | Loose or shifting teeth, pus, changes in your bite | Significant bone loss; teeth may be lost without treatment. |
Smoking, diabetes, some medications, hormonal changes and genetics can all increase the risk of gum disease. Telling the dentist about your health history helps them assess your risk.
How to prevent cavities
Tooth decay happens when bacteria in plaque feed on sugars and produce acids that dissolve enamel. The good news is that decay is largely preventable.
Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride helps strengthen enamel and can repair very early weak spots.
Limit how often you snack on sugary foods or sip sweet drinks. Each exposure starts a new acid attack.
Clean between your teeth daily, where a toothbrush can't reach and cavities often start.
Other helpful habits: drink water after meals, chew sugar-free gum to stimulate saliva, and ask the dentist about dry mouth if your medications cause it.
Sealants and professional fluoride
Sealants are thin protective coatings painted onto the chewing surfaces of back teeth, where deep grooves can trap food and bacteria. They're most often placed on children's permanent molars soon after they erupt, and some adults can benefit too. Placing them is quick and doesn't require drilling. Our family dentistry guide covers when children usually get them.
Professional fluoride treatments, such as a varnish painted on the teeth, may be recommended for children and for adults at higher risk of decay. The dentist will tell you whether they make sense for you.
Oral cancer screening
As part of a routine exam, the dentist looks and feels for signs that could need further evaluation, such as a sore that doesn't heal, a red or white patch, a lump, or an area of numbness. Most findings turn out to be harmless, but early detection matters. Tobacco use and heavy alcohol use raise the risk. If you notice any of these changes lasting more than two weeks, let us know.
How often should you have a checkup?
There's no single schedule that fits everyone. The ADA advises that the frequency of dental visits should be based on your individual oral health and risk factors. Some people do well with one or two visits a year; people with a history of gum disease, frequent cavities, dry mouth, diabetes or who smoke may benefit from more frequent visits.
After your exam, the dentist will recommend a follow-up interval based on what they see. If something changes in between, such as new pain, swelling or a broken tooth, don't wait for your next checkup. Call us.
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Call 1-855-759-0782
Patient education
Understanding your own mouth
Prevention works best when you know why a recommendation is being made. The dentist will point out any areas that need extra attention, explain what X-rays show, and talk through practical changes that fit your routine. Ask questions; there's no such thing as a silly one.
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Questions patients ask
Preventive care questions
Still have a question? Call 1-855-759-0782 and talk it through with our team.
How often should I have a dental checkup?
It depends on your individual risk. Some people do well with visits once or twice a year, while people with a history of gum disease, frequent cavities or certain health conditions may benefit from more frequent visits. The dentist will recommend a schedule based on your mouth, not a one-size-fits-all rule.
Are dental X-rays safe?
Dental X-rays use a low dose of radiation. The American Dental Association and the FDA recommend taking X-rays only when they're needed to diagnose or monitor a problem, based on your individual history and risk, and using protective measures to limit exposure. Tell the dentist if you are or may be pregnant.
What's the difference between a cleaning and a deep cleaning?
A routine cleaning removes plaque and tartar from the tooth surfaces above and just below the gumline. A deep cleaning, called scaling and root planing, reaches further below the gums to clean root surfaces and may be recommended when gum disease has caused pockets to form.
Why do my gums bleed when I brush?
Bleeding gums are often an early sign of gingivitis, the mild, reversible stage of gum disease caused by plaque buildup. Better daily brushing and cleaning between teeth, plus a professional cleaning, often help. Bleeding that persists should be checked by a dentist.
Are sealants only for children?
Sealants are most often placed on children's permanent back teeth soon after they come in, but adults with deep grooves and no decay or fillings on those teeth may also benefit. The dentist can tell you whether they make sense for you.
Can preventive care really stop dental emergencies?
It can't prevent every emergency, as accidents happen, but many urgent problems, such as abscesses and badly broken teeth, start as small cavities or cracks that could have been treated early. Regular exams make it more likely those issues are found while they're still simple to fix.
Schedule a checkup and cleaning
Call or request a visit online. Our mobile dental truck can come to your home or workplace in our service area.