Preventative dental care in Reno, NV is defined as any of the practices or actions someone takes to maintain their oral health. Generally, this kind of care prevents excessive wear, root canals, extractions cavities, gum disease, tooth decay, breaks and fractures caused by traumatic bites, stress, infection, weak bone or enamel, and more. In fact, a regular part of a dental visit is screening for oral and upper throat cancers, mitigating the chances of serious pain and damage to your body.
Typically, preventative care includes regular checkups at the dentist’s office, professional cleanings to remove plaque and tartar, proper hygiene at home, mouth rinses, retainers, mouthguards, orthotics and fluoride treatments. Education from your dentist can be instrumental in ensuring you’re brushing and flossing properly at home, further preventing many issues in the oral cavity. Other actions may also be considered preventative, though this will depend on your circumstances and personal needs. For example, some patients will need more visits to the dentist than others, especially if they have certain diseases or risk factors.
Preventative dental care in Reno, NV is an essential part of your medical health and well-being. However, maintaining good oral health may feel less important to some patients than others. Like most medical problems you may not be aware of it until it becomes a bigger, more costly, problem. Some patients are only motivated to care for their smiles properly when they become aware of the alternative, dentures. Failing to take care of your smile is much more likely to result in pain and discomfort, require additional dentist visits, and spend more money and time on costly procedures.
The following are additional benefits associated with strong preventative care in the oral cavity:
If you want to schedule your dentist’s appointment and take advantage of these excellent benefits, we encourage you to contact us at White Pine Family Dental. We can provide additional helpful information, schedule an appointment, and help you feel confident in your smile. Please get in touch with us at your convenience to meet with one of our dedicated, talented, and compassionate providers.
Preventative care is very patient specific, but at a minimum you should visit the dentist twice yearly, though some may need to go more often. While someone with a healthy smile and gum tissue only needs to go to the dentist once every six months, patients with certain medical conditions may need to go every three or four months instead. Risk factors that may require more visits include, but are not limited to are: tobacco users, pregnancy, people with a history of gum disease or tooth decay, and various other patients may also need to see their dentist more frequently.
Getting a cleaning and oral screening every six months is sufficient for most patients. However, those with risk factors are more likely to develop gum disease, cavities, or tooth loss. Cleaning plaque, tartar, and other harmful particulate matter from the teeth more often can help mitigate these risks, when combined with excellent home care. For similar reasons, those who have not been to the dentist in a few years will likely need a deeper cleaning than usual. Preventative and deep cleaning help reduce the risk of serious infections and other complications.
Don’t wait for dental problems to appear—be proactive in caring for your smile! At White Pine Family Dental, we’re dedicated to helping you maintain your healthy, vibrant smile with our comprehensive preventative dental services. Whether it’s a regular checkup, professional cleaning, or expert advice, our team is here to support your oral health at every step. With over 30 years of experience serving families in Reno, Dr. Kenneth Browning Prince and Dr. Mary Papez-Berg understand the power of prevention. Protect your teeth, health, and confidence by scheduling your preventative care appointment today.
At White Pine Family Dental, dental exams and maintenance visits cost $87, offering essential preventive care to maintain your oral health and catch potential issues early. Our comprehensive exams include thorough evaluation of teeth, gums, and oral tissues, plus any necessary x-rays. Most insurance plans cover these preventive services, and we offer convenient scheduling options for our patients.
Please choose one of the links below for more information about preventative dental care and services offered by Dr. Prince and Dr. Papez-Berg at White Pine Family Dental.
Please use our online Appointment Request form or call us with any questions: (775) 871-1186.
A standard preventative visit typically includes a professional cleaning to remove plaque and tartar, a comprehensive examination of your teeth and gums, oral cancer screening, a 3 dimensional scan of your mouth so you can see what we see (photos at 6,000 frames/second) and dental X-rays (usually once yearly). We also provide personalized oral hygiene advice and discuss any concerns you might have about your dental health. These regular visits help us catch potential issues early, saving you time, discomfort, and expense down the road.
For maximum benefit from your preventative appointment, maintain your regular oral hygiene routine but avoid whitening toothpastes for 2-3 days prior, as they can cause temporary sensitivity that might interfere with comprehensive examination. Make a list of any changes in your oral health, new medications, or concerns you’d like to discuss. If you experience dental anxiety, let us know in advance so we can implement comfort measures. Avoid consuming highly pigmented foods or beverages, which can temporarily stain teeth and make thorough examination more difficult, right before your appointment. Finally, bring your current insurance information and any questions about your home care routine. Be sure to mention when your last cleaning was completed because your insurance may not pay if a frequency limitation is in effect.
Regular preventative dental care significantly reduces long-term dental expenses by addressing issues before they require costly treatments. Studies show that for every dollar spent on preventative dental care, patients save on emergency and restorative treatments. Additionally, preventative care helps identify signs of systemic health conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and osteoporosis in their early stages.
Most dental insurance plans prioritize preventive care and typically cover routine services like regular checkups, professional cleanings, and annual X-rays at 80-100% with little to no out-of-pocket cost. However, coverage details vary significantly between insurance providers and specific plans.
Monday – Thursday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday – Saturday: 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM
Phone: (775) 825-6655
Fax: (775) 825-8691
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