Taking care of your teeth and gums is important for keeping them healthy. If you don’t practice good oral care, bacteria can build up in your mouth and lead to serious problems like cavities and gum disease. Our San Antonio dental office is here to help you with these issues.
It’s best not to wait until you notice problems before seeing your dentist. Regular check-ups every six months can help you avoid bigger issues later on.
At Advanced Dental Associates, our experienced dentists work to prevent and treat oral health problems. We offer a full range of dental services to patients in San Antonio and the greater Bexar County area.
The Importance of Preventative Dentistry
Preventive dental care is key to keeping your mouth healthy. You can’t just take care of your teeth at home and skip dental visits, or vice versa. You need to be proactive in both areas.
At home, brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss once a day. This helps remove food particles and bacteria, preventing plaque and tartar buildup. Using fluoride toothpaste strengthens your teeth, and an antibacterial mouthwash helps control harmful bacteria.
But home care alone isn’t enough. Even if you brush and floss regularly, there are spots your toothbrush can’t reach. Our office has special tools to clean those hard-to-reach areas. You could be doing everything right at home and still be at risk for tooth decay and infections.
Regular visits aren’t just for cleanings; we also do a thorough dental exam. Many people don’t notice the early signs of oral health issues, like gum disease, because they aren’t painful. Our trained dentists know what to look for and use modern technology to spot problems you can’t see.
Preventive care is less expensive than dealing with major procedures later on. Intensive treatments cost more and require long hours in the dental chair. Plus, keeping your mouth healthy is important for your overall health. Poor oral health can lead to other health issues, so regular dental care helps your whole body.
Routine Hygiene Appointments
Our dental hygienists are trained professionals who play a key role in your dental care routine. Regular dental care visits are the foundation of lifelong oral health and wellness. Our hygienists help patients keep their smiles healthy with professional care and personalized advice.
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Expert Cleaning: Dental hygienists are specially trained to remove plaque and tartar from areas that are difficult to reach with a regular toothbrush. Their expertise ensures that your teeth are thoroughly cleaned, reducing the risk of cavities and gum disease.
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Personalized Advice: A dental hygienist can provide tailored advice on brushing techniques, flossing habits, and choosing the right dental products for your needs. This guidance can help you improve your at-home dental hygiene routine.
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Early Detection: During your routine teeth cleaning, a dental hygienist will also check for early signs of oral health issues, such as cavities, gum disease, or oral cancer. Catching problems early can prevent them from developing into more serious and costly conditions.
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Preventative Education: Dental hygienists educate patients on the importance of fluoride treatments, sealants, and proper diet to enhance dental health and prevent decay.
The Benefits of Digital Dental X-Rays: A Modern Approach to Oral Health Care
Digital dental X-rays have revolutionized the way dentists diagnose and treat oral health issues. Advancements in dental technology are making visits to the dentist faster, safer, and more effective. One of the key innovations in modern dentistry is the use of digital X-rays. These high-tech imaging tools provide numerous benefits for patients and dental professionals.
One of the biggest benefits of digital X-rays is that they use significantly less radiation compared to traditional X-rays. This makes digital imaging a safer option for both adults and children. Digital X-rays also offer much higher-resolution images than traditional film X-rays. Dentists can zoom in on specific areas, adjust contrast, and enhance the images to ensure the most accurate diagnosis possible. The high-quality images from digital X-rays can be easily shared with other specialists or displayed for you to see on the screen during your appointment. This transparency enhances communication and helps you better understand your oral health and the recommended treatments.
Diet and Oral Health
Your diet also plays a large role in your oral health. Your body needs certain nutrients to keep your mouth healthy, while other foods can be harmful.
What Your Mouth Needs
To keep your teeth strong, you need nutrients like calcium, Vitamin D, and phosphorus. Calcium keeps your enamel strong, while phosphorus helps rebuild your teeth. Vitamin D helps your body take in calcium and phosphorus. You can get these nutrients from foods like dairy and leafy greens and sunlight, a key source of Vitamin D.
Vitamin C and antioxidants are important for healthy gums. Vitamin C supports gum tissue by helping with collagen production and boosting immunity to fight bacteria. It can be found in foods like citrus fruits, strawberries, and bell peppers.
Antioxidants help reduce inflammation, which is key in fighting gum disease. Foods like broccoli, carrots, and potatoes are rich in antioxidants.
Fresh, crunchy fruits and vegetables work like natural toothbrushes when you chew them, cleaning your teeth and boosting saliva production. Saliva is crucial for washing away bacteria and food particles and neutralizing acids in your mouth, which is why drinking water is also important.
Things to Avoid
The biggest things to avoid for your teeth are sugars and acids. Harmful bacteria in your mouth feed on sugars and produce acid that wears down your enamel. Sugary foods aren’t the only problem. Salty snacks like chips and pretzels can also be harmful because they break down into sugars.
Acids from foods like citrus fruits, vinegar-based dishes, and tomatoes can also weaken your enamel, making your teeth more prone to damage. We suggest brushing your teeth right after eating to remove food particles from your teeth.
General Dentistry in San Antonio, TX
We offer a range of dental treatments to keep your smile healthy. Our team can provide custom mouthguards, root canals, tooth extractions, and more.
Custom Mouthguard
If you grind your teeth or play contact sports, you might risk breaking, chipping, or cracking them. A custom sports mouthguard can protect your teeth, lips, face, and jaw from injury by cushioning impacts. Our mouthguards are made just for you to minimize the chance of dental injuries. To learn more about them, see Custom mouthguards.
Family Dentistry
Our family dental services are for everyone, from young children to adults. Starting dental checkups early helps kids maintain good oral health. Regular visits can prevent problems like cavities and gum disease, which can lead to pain and other health issues. Routine checkups keep your family’s smiles healthy.
Laser Dentistry
Laser dentistry is used for treating tooth decay, gum disease, and other issues, as well as for teeth whitening. As technology improves, laser treatments are becoming more common in dental care. At Advanced Dental Associates, we offer laser dentistry to provide the best possible care for our patients.
The Laser-Assisted New Attachment Procedure (LANAP) is an alternative to traditional gum disease surgery. This procedure causes less pain and allows for easier recovery. It also helps gum tissue heal and reattach, and can even promote new bone growth.
Root Canal Procedures
Root canal procedures can save a tooth from being removed. We suggest a root canal procedure when an infection reaches the tooth’s pulp, which contains nerves and tissues. This infection causes pain that won’t go away on its own. During the procedure, we remove the infection, fill the canals with a rubber-like material called gutta-percha, and place a crown over the tooth to protect it.
Sedation Dentistry
Dental sedation helps you stay calm and comfortable during dental treatments. It’s especially useful for patients who have dental anxiety or fear of the dentist. We use safe sedation techniques so you can get the care you need without stress.
Tooth Extraction
Tooth extractions are common and nothing to worry about. We perform simple extractions for teeth that have already erupted above the gumline. Surgical extractions are for impacted teeth or those that haven’t erupted yet, like wisdom teeth. Sometimes, removing a tooth is necessary to prevent infection or other problems.
Dental Fillings
Most people will need at least one filling in their life. Even if you take good care of your teeth, cavities can still form. It’s important to treat cavities as soon as they appear. At our dental office, we offer fillings for patients of all ages.
Why Do You Need a Filling?
A cavity happens when decay eats away part of your tooth. Without treatment, bacteria can get trapped inside, causing pain, sensitivity, and more decay. Over time, the cavity can grow and weaken the tooth, making it more likely to break or get an infection.
Once the dentist removes the decay, the cavity won’t heal on its own. This hole can cause new problems if the dentist doesn’t fill it. A filling will repair the cavity, making the tooth strong again. It also restores the tooth’s function and protects your overall oral health.
Types of Fillings
The most common fillings are amalgam and composite resin. Amalgam fillings, often called silver fillings, are strong and affordable. They consist of a mix of metals and are best for treating cavities in back teeth. However, their silver color can be noticeable.
Composite resin fillings are tooth-colored and metal-free. We use a color guide to match the filling to your natural tooth color. Though they aren’t as strong as amalgam fillings, they’re great for front teeth where appearance matters.
Other filling options include gold, ceramic, and glass ionomer. Gold and ceramic fillings are strong but can be more expensive. Ceramic fillings are also tooth-colored and stronger than composite.
Glass ionomer fillings are good for children’s teeth since they don’t last as long, which is fine because baby teeth eventually fall out. They also release fluoride, which helps protect the tooth from more decay.
Are Fillings Permanent?
Fillings are durable but may not last forever. Over time, they can wear out, and when they do, you’ll need to replace them to prevent new damage to your tooth.
If you see cracks or wear around your filling, make an appointment right away. Ignoring a worn filling could lead to serious problems, like new decay or infections.
Is There an Alternative to a Filling?
Fillings are the most common way to treat cavities and work well in many cases. However, sometimes other options might be better. Inlays and onlays are alternatives for certain situations. If the decay is severe, a dental crown may be needed instead.
Taking care of your oral health is easy at our dental office. Call Advanced Dental Associates for treatment at 210-361-6847. You can also request a dental appointment on our website.