Preventive Dentistry Arlington
Get the One-on-One Care You Deserve
At our office, our team is passionate about helping every patient achieve and maintain the optimal level of oral health and keep it for a lifetime. Tooth loss and severe dental issues used to be so common that dentures were a traditional wedding gift, but today, preventive dental care makes it possible for more people each year to keep their natural teeth their whole lives. That makes keeping the teeth you’re born with strong and healthy even more important, and the best way to ensure teeth stay healthy is to visit your preventive dentist in Arlington twice a year. If it’s been more than six months since your last dental checkup, call our team to schedule an appointment today.
Why Choose James T. Gray, DDS for Preventive Dentistry?
- Advanced Precision with Our Cavity Detection System
- We See Patients of All Ages, Including Children!
- Friendly, Professional, & Experienced Dental Team
Checkups & Cleanings
Dental checkups and cleanings twice a year are the foundation of every oral health care plan. During your bi-annual checkups, we’ll start by capturing your annual X-rays. Next, our skilled hygienist will carefully remove plaque and tartar from the teeth. Dr. Gray will then thoroughly examine your oral and facial structures, screening for the most common concerns, like tooth decay, gum disease, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction, bruxism (teeth grinding and clenching), and oral cancer.
We also utilize the CariVu early cavity detection system to allow our team to pinpoint areas where tooth decay is likely, and help patients focus at home care on preventing these concerns. Finally, Dr. Gray sits down with patients one-on-one to discuss areas of concern and potential treatment options.
Learn More About Checkups and Cleanings
Children’s Dentistry
We welcome patients of all ages to visit our office, and we love working with children. Our team is happy to provide dental sealants, fluoride treatments, and other services that are geared toward caring for developing smiles. We also have experience handling the unique sets of behavioral and oral health needs of children. When the expertise of a pediatric dentist is indicated, we work with great pediatric dentists in the area to take care of your child's needs.
Dental Sealants
Sealants, as the name suggests, apply a coat of resin that seals out bacteria, plaque, and tartar that may cause tooth decay. We often recommend this treatment for young patients, but dental sealants are beneficial for any patients who are prone to decay. We will be happy to apply dental sealants as part of a six month dental checkup. We simply coat the chewing surface of the teeth in the liquid sealant and use a curing light to harden it in place. Once in position, sealants are completely clear, and with proper care, they can last for years.
Nightguards for Bruxism
Patients who grind or clench their teeth at night, a condition known as bruxism, may think this is a harmless habit or that they’re unable to change this behavior, but even a mild case of bruxism can result in pain, dental wear, or other damage. To avoid these concerns, we are happy to offer custom-crafted nightguards. These mouthguards place a physical barrier between teeth, preventing unconscious damage.
Oral Cancer Screening
According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, the best way to reduce the number of lives claimed by oral cancer is to diagnose and treat it in earlier stages. That’s why screenings for this disease are an essential part of checkups at our Arlington, TX dental office. We examine the smile visually and tactilely looking for any indications of cellular abnormality that may point to oral cancer. Let a member of our team know right away if you notice any changes in the color or texture of your soft tissue, experience chronic cough or hoarse throat, or notice sores or lumps in the mouth.
Fluoride Treatment
Fluoride is one of the most important nutrients we absorb in early life. It helps us develop strong bones and teeth. However, after primary and adult teeth erupt from the gums, ingested fluoride has little impact on maintaining the density of tooth enamel. Instead, topical fluoride is necessary to keep teeth healthy. Most patients receive adequate fluoride from their toothpastes, but for young children still learning to care for their smiles and adults who are prone to decay, fluoride treatments are recommended. We can apply fluoride quickly and painlessly as part of any dental checkup.