Preventative Dentistry in Torrance CA

Preventative dentistry is a branch of dentistry that focuses on preventing dental issues like cavities and gum disease. It includes educating patients about best practices in dental care, as well as specialized treatments that can help patients avoid dental problems.

At Nishikawa Family Dentistry, we offer a host of preventative dentistry services, including:

Dental Cleanings and Exams 

A dental exam or checkup is a comprehensive oral exam typically performed by our dental team every six months. During this checkup, our team will look for signs of tooth decay, periodontal disease, and oral cancer. When we’re performing your dental exam, we’re also checking your bite, jaw, teeth, gums, and tongue.

A dental checkup includes a professional teeth cleaning. The cleaning will help to remove plaque and tartar from your teeth. This buildup can cause tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease.

Oral Hygiene

Maintaining good oral hygiene is vital to protecting your smile and preventing dental problems. By brushing and flossing your teeth regularly, you can remove food particles and plaque from your teeth. 

Your teeth are some of the hardest-working parts of your body. They help you to chew food, speak clearly, and smile with confidence. That is why it’s so important that you take good care of them. If you don’t, you could experience issues like tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease. All of these are serious conditions that can lead to tooth loss.

Gum Disease Treatment

Gum disease is an infection that attacks the gum tissue surrounding your teeth. The infection is caused by certain bacteria. Many people aren’t aware of how important it is to treat gum disease. However, gum disease can cause a number of oral health problems, including tooth decay, abscesses, and tooth loss. When gum disease goes untreated, it can lead to more serious health complications as well. Coronary heart disease and stroke have been associated with gum disease, so it’s crucial to seek treatment as soon as possible.

The first step to treating gum disease is getting a professional diagnosis. Our dentist will determine if gum disease is present and prescribe the appropriate treatment. 

Gingivitis is the initial stage of gum disease. Symptoms include red and swollen gums, bleeding while brushing, and persistent bad breath. Gingivitis is treatable through a professional cleaning, improved at-home oral hygiene routine, and a more frequent professional cleaning schedule.

Periodontal disease occurs when the gums begin to separate from the teeth. Over time, this can lead to loose teeth. Periodontal disease is treatable by removing plaque and tartar from below the gum line through deep cleaning, placing antibiotics below the gum line, and surgical procedures.

Periodontal Maintenance

It is estimated that almost 50% of adults aged 30 to 64 have periodontitis, with over 70% of adults aged 65 and over developing a more severe version. Periodontal maintenance is a specific set of procedures performed to thoroughly clean the teeth and root surfaces. These procedures may include but are not limited to:

Scaling and root planing for careful cleaning of the root surfaces to remove plaque and tartar from deep periodontal pockets and to smooth out the tooth root to remove bacterial toxins

  • Application of local antibiotics (Arestin®) to combat infection-causing bacteria
  • Application of an antimicrobial agent (Arestin®) in the periodontal pockets
  • Periodontal maintenance is typically recommended for patients with periodontal disease, but can also be recommended to patients with a high risk of developing it. 

Deep Teeth Cleaning

Deep teeth cleaning, also known as scaling and root planing, is a dental procedure that removes plaque and tartar from underneath the gums. This procedure may be required to remove bacteria, plaque, and tartar buildup from below the gum line, which can contribute to the development of gum disease. 

To learn more about our dental services, you can schedule your appointment with our Torrance dentist by calling Nishikawa Family Dentistry at (310) 543-1655 or visiting dentist in Torrance, CA at 3556 Torrance Boulevard, Suite C, Torrance, CA 90503. 

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Location

3556 Torrance Boulevard, Suite C, Torrance, CA 90503

Office Hours

MON8:00 am - 5:00 pm

TUE - WED9:00 am - 6:00 pm

THU10:00 am - 7:00 pm

FRI8:00 am - 1:00 pm

SAT - SUNClosed