Preventive Dental Care and Cleanings in Nashville
Your smile is such an important asset. Preserve its health and beauty for years to come with routine dental exams and professional cleanings.
- Effective way to maintain a healthy, confident smile
- Protect your mouth from gum disease, cavities, bad breath, and other issues
- Prevent or minimize future dental expenditures by catching and addressing issues early on
Nashville Restorative Dentistry focuses on improving oral health and providing preventative care. Drs. Jones and Estes emphasize preventive dental care because it’s the cornerstone of maintaining optimal oral health and keeping serious dental issues from arising. We provide routine dental check-ups, cleanings, oral cancer screenings, dental product and home care tool resources, and patient education to give your teeth and gums the support they need.
What preventive dentistry options are available at NRD?
Preventive dental care is twofold. It encompasses the daily practices you maintain at home and the professional care you receive in the dental office. Together, these efforts work synergistically to keep your teeth and gums healthy, prevent dental problems, and ensure long-term oral health.
Welcome to Guided Biofilm Therapy
Probably the best dental hygiene experience you will ever have. A prevention focused and painless treatment – Guided Biofilm Therapy follows a 8 step protocol taking you on a journey to optimum oral health, improved general health and a lasting beautiful smile.
Step 1 – a full oral health assessment will take place to screen for signs of gum disease and lifestyle factors that may increase your risk of dental disease. Unhealthy gums can compromise the lifespan of the teeth and contribute to more serious general health conditions. Early detection is crucial in eliminating and preventing disease.
Step 2 – An organic dye is applied to the teeth to make the biofilm (commonly referred to as plaque). Visible and highlight the areas which need the most attention.
Step 3 – Now that we can see the biofilm, you will be shown ways to keep your mouth clean and good daily home care will reduce your risk of developing dental disease.
Step 4 – AIRFLOW® MAX technology combined with Erythritol powder removes biofilm and stain from the teeth, the tongue and all the surrounding soft tissues using a gentle jet of air and warm water.
Step 5: if required the PERIOFLOW® will be used to carefully disrupt any biofilm from the gum pockets.
Step 6: PIEZON® PS is used to remove the remaining hard deposits. Targeted, painless and gentle removal of calculus.
Step 7: A thorough final check is done to ensure all the biofilm and deposits have been removed and that the teeth and soft tissues are healthy and problem free.
Step 8: A recommended recall interval that’s right for your health needs will be discussed at the end of your appointment and scheduled into the diary.
Guided Biofilm Therapy – the modern patient friendly approach to lifelong oral health.
Your at home oral care routine needs to include effective plaque management (like properly brushing and flossing), using good products and probiotics, and making healthy food and beverage choices. Your in-office visits help you maintain healthy teeth and gums with the following preventive dental procedures:
- Dental check-ups: Regular dental exams allow us to detect and treat oral issues before they progress and become more difficult to treat.
- Teeth cleanings: Even with diligent daily brushing and flossing, cleaning every tooth surface is challenging. Professional dental cleanings effectively clean your teeth, methodically removing built up stains, plaque, and tartar. Our office uses Guided Biofilm Therapy (GBT), a cutting-edge and minimally invasive improvement to traditional dental cleaning. GBT harnesses the power of AIRFLOW, PERIOFLOW, and PIEZON technologies to provide a more effective and comfortable cleaning experience. GBT more effectively removes the oral biofilm to protect your teeth and gums from the damaging effects of bacteria like cavities and gum disease. As an added benefit to our patients, we utilize ozonated water during GBT to increase the elimination of harmful microorganisms in the oral cavity. Ozonated water works as a safe and powerful cleaning agent using natural oxygen. Our Biosure Dental ozone generator converts RO filtered water into ozonated water, providing a naturally powerful disinfectant during your visits. As water is dissolved into ozone and hydroxyl molecules, these active ingredients kill bacteria and viruses rapidly, immediately, and continuously.
- Oral cancer screening: As a part of our routine dental exams, we provide oral cancer screenings which can detect signs of oral cancer and potentially save a life.
- Patient education: We empower you with knowledge about the skills, tools, and products you need to maintain good oral hygiene and adopt healthy habits.
Why does preventive dentistry matter?
Staying on top of your oral health with diligent home care and regular in office maintenance appointments maintains healthy teeth and gums. It minimizes any systemic risks you may face from dental infection or inflammation. Some of the benefits of preventive dental care include:
- Protects your smile from gum disease, cavities, bad breath, and other oral health issues
- Allows potential early detection of pathology like oral cancer
- Provides a cost-effective way to keep your smile healthy by catching tooth issues early on
- Prevents unnecessary discomfort by preventing mouth issues from developing
- It minimizes oral inflammation and infection linked to systemic illnesses like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s.
Are you up-to-date with your preventive dental care?
Protect yourself from potential mouth issues with preventive dentistry at Nashville Restorative Dentistry. Our dental team offers regular exams, cleanings, oral cancer screenings, and other preventive treatments to keep you in control of your oral wellbeing. Call (615) 640-8494 to take charge of your oral health. We are in Franklin, TN, and serve the surrounding locations of Cool Springs, Nashville, Brentwood, and beyond.
GBT Certified Practice!
Nashville Restorative Dentistry was certified as a qualified provider of the GBT hygiene program, establishing the practice as a GBT center of excellence in preventative, professional oral care.
Before and After GBT Airflow Cleaning
Actual Patients Results
Before
After
FAQs
How many times a year should I come in for a cleaning?
Nashville Restorative Dentistry typically recommends preventive care cleanings every six months. This helps ensure optimal oral health. However, the frequency may vary depending on your individual needs. If you have a history of gum disease or other dental challenges, coming in for additional cleanings or maintenance appointments may be necessary to ensure your oral health stability. Dr. Jones, Dr. Estes, and our highly trained dental hygienists will assess your oral health at each visit and tailor a preventative care schedule to help minimize issues like plaque buildup, gum inflammation, cavities, and periodontal disease.
What happens during a preventive care cleaning?
A preventive care cleaning includes the removal of biofilm, plaque, and tartar from your teeth and gums, specifically in areas where brushing and flossing may not reach. One of our talented dental hygienists will also polish your teeth to remove surface stains and ensure they feel smooth. During the cleaning, your dental hygienist will check for signs of gum disease, cavities, and any other dental issues or oral health concerns. Regular cleanings help prevent oral health problems and keep your smile bright and healthy.
Will a preventive care cleaning hurt?
Preventive care cleanings are generally painless, though you may experience some discomfort if you have sensitive teeth or gums. Your dental hygienist will make your cleaning as comfortable as possible and address any sensitivity during your visit. If you experience anxiety or discomfort during cleanings, let us know. We can offer solutions to help you feel more at ease and ensure your cleaning is effective without discomfort. We utilize comfort-increasing factors like warmed water and GBT technology to decrease the likelihood of sensitivity or discomfort caused by air, cold water, and manual scraping of the teeth that can be experienced with traditional cleaning methods.
Can a cleaning prevent gum disease?
Yes, because destructive bacterial plaque buildup is the primary cause of gum inflammation and resultant infections, preventive care cleanings are essential in preventing gum disease. Regular cleanings also help prevent the reversible inflammation of gum tissue called gingivitis, which is an early stage of gum disease. This can prevent it from progressing into more damaging forms of periodontal disease. Our dental hygiene team will assess your gum health during each visit and recommend appropriate treatment and home care tips to keep your gums healthy and prevent disease from developing or progressing.
How can I maintain the results of my preventive cleaning at home?
After a preventive care cleaning, maintaining good oral hygiene is essential to prolong the benefits. Dr. Jones and Dr. Estes recommend brushing at least twice daily with a Sonicare toothbrush and a non abrasive toothpaste like Carifree or Elementa, water flossing or manually flossing daily, using a ph elevating mouthwash, and a dental formulated probiotic. Regular dental check-ups and cleanings help catch potential issues early, ensuring a healthy smile and reducing the need for more expensive or invasive treatments later.
What should I do if I haven’t had a cleaning in a while?
If it’s been a while since your last cleaning, it’s important to schedule an appointment to get back on track. If you haven’t had a dental appointment recently, a comprehensive exam to evaluate the current status of your teeth and gums and plan for any needed restorative treatments is important. Maintaining regular check-ups can help prevent future oral health issues and expenses. We will assess your needs and create a customized plan to restore your oral health and minimize systemic risk.
