EXCEEDING YOUR EXPECTATIONS

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Preventative Dentistry

Can I just get a cleaning?

Cleaning your teeth is one of the most important things you do every day to stay healthy and free of dental problems. Truly, the better you are at cleaning your own teeth with brushing and flossing, the less work is necessary at the dentist, even with preventative dentistry.

Professional cleaning or “prophylaxis” is so much more and important to be done regularly because even the best brushers and flossers miss spots on teeth. Those missed spots can become real problems if left alone. These missed spots can contribute to gum disease and tooth decay, two of the most prevalent diseases on earth.

We have the training and tools to make sure each tooth is clean and able to function properly. We assess each tooth individually and how they all work together. Where problems are showing up, we will recommend treatment. Over time, we’ll record how well your teeth are doing and keep track of those problem areas.

What’s so special about every 6 months?

We learned a long time ago that care of your teeth is best performed regularly. Back in the middle of the 20th century, the Pepsodent toothpaste company came up with the idea that you should visit your dentist every 6 months! For most people, this has come to be an amazingly effective preventative dentistry plan. Even with the best “home care,” teeth need to be assessed and cleaned regularly.

Every 6 months works so well because longer than 6 months can neglect unseen problems that may escalate into even bigger problems. Rarely do we recommend longer than 6-month intervals, but we recommend that people with special problems come in more often, like every 3-4 months. But for most people, twice a year is just about right!

Why do I need fluoride?

Over the years, we have learned that elemental fluorine in fluoride has the power to harden tooth enamel and give it more resistance to tooth decay or cavities. In high strength or high amounts, fluoride is a poison and can be very harmful. However, at low strengths and controlled dosages, our teeth are very beneficial by combining with other elements in our tooth enamel to become much harder.

Fluoride has been added to toothpaste, mouthwash, and drinking water to make our teeth stronger. We can apply a fluoride “varnish” over susceptible areas of teeth in the office to help prevent tooth decay. Most importantly, it’s applied to youngsters’ teeth as they are growing to make them stronger. Fluoride gels placed on or near the gumline of teeth can help control bacteria that contribute to gum disease.

How can I prevent cavities in my teeth?

Whereas brushing with a manual toothbrush can require a certain amount of practice and good technique to do the job, a power toothbrush can make the whole process easier, and for most people, better! There are many power toothbrushes out in the marketplace that are excellent tools for cleaning your teeth. New models are being introduced regularly.

Please feel free to ask us about what is available and what preventative dentistry services may work the best for you. If you bring in the power brush you own, we can show you how to use it the most efficiently. Remember that the brush head on the power brush needs to be replaced regularly as well.

Care Credit

Patient Payment Plans Applying for CareCredit is easy. Search for us in their list of providers, then submit the one-page application and you’ll have an answer immediately. There is no better way to make your care possible today!

Pre-Registration

In a hurry? Fill out your information ahead of time online!

Bangor Center for Dental Medicine is dedicated to professionalism and your comfort. All of our staff maintain the highest levels of accreditation and pursue ongoing education to stay abreast of the latest trends in dentistry. We are committed to total patient care and providing the absolute best dental services available in the Bangor, Maine area.

Address:

498 Essex St. #103
Bangor, ME 04401
207.990.2727

Hours:

Monday-Thursday 8:00-4:00
Friday-Sunday Closed

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