Prevention

"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." - Benjamin Franklin

The above quote from Benjamin Franklin couldn’t be truer than it is in dentistry. At Chappell Family Dentistry, we are happy to treat dental problems, but we are much happier helping you prevent them in the first place!

The best thing you can do for your teeth is to take good care of them yourself. We see most people only a couple of times a year, and if you aren’t taking care of them at home, it will undo anything we do. The next best thing is to see a dentist regularly so that we guide you in how to take care of your teeth properly as well as screen you for any dental problems.

Routine Dental Exams & Cleanings

At each new-patient and regular cleaning exam, we do an oral cancer screening of the mouth, jaws, and neck. It doesn’t take long and we check for any lumps, bumps, or bruises that shouldn’t be there. Although this is one of the most simple things we do, it is also one of the most important.

In addition to oral cancer screenings, your regular dental exam includes an assessment of your gum health. Based on our findings we can tell you if your homecare is working or if something needs to be done to improve it. We can help you with different techniques or show you different toothbrushes, floss and other tools at your disposal.

Finally, a comprehensive exam includes a screening for common dental problems like cavities, cracked teeth, orthodontic positioning, and wear. If we see anything amiss we will let you know what problem we see and offer you all of the options to fix it.

Our dental hygienists are our preventative specialists. They are the ones who will clean your teeth. Your hygienist can help you improve your homecare, take x-rays to screen for common dental problems, and even place preventative sealants over the grooves of your teeth to prevent cavities from forming in them.

At Chappell Family Dentistry, we believe strongly in fluoride treatments for all ages as studies have shown it to be an effective way of preventing cavities. Based upon your history of cavities we may suggest you get a fluoride treatment at the end of your visit. It’s always your choice, but keep in mind, a fluoride treatment twice a year at your cleaning appointment is less than half the price of a single filling.

Please Call to Schedule Your Next Exam

If it’s been a while since you have seen a dentist, call us to schedule a convenient appointment to have your teeth cleaned and an exam done. The first step is sometimes the hardest – we won’t judge you and are only interested in getting you back to health.