GENERAL AND PREVENTATIVE DENTISTRY
General and Preventative Dentistry
We are honored by the many neighbors in Tenleytown and surrounding neighborhoods who come to us to preserve their teeth with general and preventative dentistry. We offer a full range of general and preventative dentistry services, plus restorative and cosmetic treatments.
When you become our patient, we will help you maintain a regular schedule of preventative dental care and provide whatever general dentistry you need to stay healthy. Below, you can find the dentistry services we provide.
Professional teeth cleanings not only give your teeth that “just cleaned” feeling, they also protect your teeth from decay. Even if you brush or floss the clear bacteria film called “plaque” from your teeth, you can’t reach 100% of it. As plaque accumulates, it hardens into “tartar” that must be removed in a professional cleaning. We look forward to seeing you for regular cleanings and examinations.
If you see or feel any red, swollen or tender areas in your gums, or if your gums bleed after brushing, flossing or using a toothpick, these are signs you need treatment for gum disease. If your gum disease is mild, we may be able to eliminate it by ensuring your teeth are thoroughly cleaned and helping you improve your at-home care regimen.
More serious cases of gum disease require professional treatment. The first line of treatment is called “scaling and root planing.” This means that we will clean accumulated tartar from under the gum line (scaling) and smooth the roots of your teeth so they do not have irregular areas where bacteria can grow (root planing).
Sealants are durable plastic coatings brushed onto the chewing surface of those teeth toward the back of the mouth. It is very common for some patients, especially children, to develop cavities in the crevices of these teeth. Sealants effectively prevent bacteria from contacting these teeth. These coatings, often recommended for children, can last many years. At each visit, we will examine sealants to ensure they are not cracking or chipping.
Fluoride treatments have been shown to reduce the number of cavities which is why we often recommend them for a person who is susceptible to cavities. Children who may not brush well enough or who frequently consume sweet foods can benefit from these enamel-hardening fluoride treatments. Treatment may be painted directly on the teeth or administered in a mouthpiece.
An important part of every visit is a screening for oral cancers. During an examination or treatment, we will check the inside and outside of your lips, all sides of your gums, the roof and back part of your mouth, the top and bottom of your tongue and the floor of your mouth under your tongue. We are checking for any reddened, white or hard patches. If we ever find anything irregular, we will help you understand what you should do next.
From our location in Tenleytown, just across the street from the Tenleytown-AU Metro Station, we can serve patients from all over Northwest Washington, D.C. We are just one or two Metro stops or a short bike or car ride from Friendship Heights, Wakefield, North Cleveland Park, McLean Gardens, Forest Hill, Van Ness and Spring Valley.
Please let us know how we can help you and your family maintain excellent dental and oral health. District Smiles is ready to answer your questions on any dental situations you may be concerned about. With complete professional competence and a friendly, relaxed manner, we can help you achieve your goals for a healthy mouth and attractive smile.