Preventative Dentistry - Long Island City, NY
Regular preventative care can keep the dentist away
Preventative dentistry is the branch of dentistry that focuses on preventing dental problems before they occur, rather than treating a problem that has already happened. It includes regular dental checkups, teeth cleanings, oral hygiene instruction and more.
Regular appointments with our Long Island City dentists can help you maintain your oral health and avoid costly dental procedures in the future.​ Our team at Jackson Ave Dental believe that an ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure.
Our Preventative Services
At 1311 Jackson Ave Dental, we offer a wide range of preventative dentistry in Long Island City.
Dental Check Up
A dental check-up is a routine examination of your teeth, gums, and mouth. It is important to have regular dental check-ups to identify and treat any oral problems early before they become more complicated.
A dental check-up can also help you maintain good oral health and avoid costly dental procedures in the future. A small filling will always cost less than a large filling.
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Our dental team at Jackson Ave Dental recommends a check up every 6 months. Your insurance will cover it!
Teeth Cleaning
A teeth cleaning is a preventative and periodontal procedure that removes plaque and tartar from your teeth.
The ADA recommends that you have your teeth cleaned every 6 months or as frequently as you need. Teeth cleanings can help detect cavities early and keep gum disease at bay.
Patients often forget that it can also help whiten your teeth and make them look brighter. Stained tartar can be unsightly and make your chompers look more yellow.​
X-rays
Dental x-rays are typically taken once per year but may be more frequent if you're having oral issues. The radiographs help your dentist detect conditions which elude the naked eye.
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Cavities in between the teeth and periapical abscesses are examples of conditions which can only be found with x-rays.
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Types of x-rays that we take at our dental office:
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Bitewings and PAs
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Full mouth series
Fluoride treatment
Professional fluoride treatment at the dentist involves applying fluoride directly to the teeth to prevent cavities. It can also reverse small cavities that are still in the enamel.
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We commonly use this treatment on our pediatric patients. Although adults with high risk for tooth decay or have a history of many cavity fillings can also benefit from fluoride.
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It is a safe but effective way to prevent small problems from becoming more complex. That'll certainly save you money in the long run!
Dental Sealants
Dental sealants are thin coatings of flowable composite resin that are applied to the chewing surfaces of teeth to prevent cavities. They are often used for the back molars which have deep pits, grooves, and fissures which are prone to bacteria and food getting trapped within.
Sealants are done prophylactically to prevent the tooth from becoming decayed. This preventative dental procedure may not be very costly but it comes with big benefits for your smile.
Night Guard
A night guard is an oral appliance that is worn in the mouth while sleeping. It helps to protect the teeth from clenching and grinding (bruxism), which may cause tooth wear.
The night guards made at our dental office, Jackson Ave Dental, are of the hard/soft variety. They are hard on the outside but soft on the inside to provide your teeth comfort. We custom make these to your mouth which is completely different from the purchased over the counter ones.
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If you have wear facets on your enamel, this is THE preventative dentistry procedure to ask us about. Excessive wear will grind your teeth down to nothing if you take no action!
Mouth Guard
A mouth guard is an oral appliance that is worn in the mouth to protect the teeth and gums from injury during the day. They can be custom-fitted to the individual's mouth or purchased over-the-counter but at our dental office, they are all custom made.
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These mouth guards are different from night guards in that the latter is used for teeth grinding. The former is more commonly known as sports mouth guards which are worn by atheletes.
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Yes, we make both night guards and mouth guards!
Oral Cancer Screening
Oral cancer screening is an important part of preventative dental care. It can help detect oral cancer early, when it is most treatable and can potentially save your life.
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According to the CDC, oral cancer has one of the poorest 5 year survival rates, only 52% of people survive 5 years.
An oral cancer screening is typically done by a dentist or doctor during a routine check-up. The entire process takes less than a minute to do but its importance is not to be understated.
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Our long island city dentists perform one at every exam.
Our goal for preventative dentistry
The dentists at our LIC dental office only have one goal for preventive dentistry and that is to prevent as many dental problems from occurring as possible. The less problems that you have, the less time and money you will have to spend for oral care.
Perhaps that isn't the greatest business model for us but we hope that if you have a good experience, you'll refer your friends and families here so that'll keep us going!
Cost for preventative treatments
Dental insurance typically covers 100% of preventative services so if you have insurance you'll be fully covered. They will also cover a professional cleaning twice a year or every 6 months. So if you haven't used any of them this year, you're missing out on a benefit that costs you nothing!
Ready to make an appointment?
Are you in need of preventative dentistry services in Long Island City? Our careful dentists and experienced dental team at 1311 Jackson Ave Dental will provide you with exceptional dental care. You may self schedule online or give us a call and our receptionist will help you.