Preventive Dentistry in Kensington, MD

Kensington Natural Smiles provides preventive dentistry services in Kensington, MD. Call 301-933-3903 to learn more and schedule your appointment.

At Kensington Natural Smiles, we are committed to protecting the current and future health of your teeth and gums. Preventive dentistry encompasses all procedures that are designed to guard against future problems. It includes, but is not limited to:

At your initial appointment and then again every six months, we will perform a comprehensive evaluation of your teeth and gums, including the condition of any prior restorations, as well as your head and neck. We will also take X-rays to help us detect any hidden issues. This detailed examination allows us to find problems as they emerge, when they are easy to treat, rather than waiting until they become more serious.

Also known as an oral prophylaxis, a dental cleaning uses specialized instruments to remove the plaque and tartar that are left behind by brushing and flossing. First, we will use an ultrasonic device that emits vibrations and is cooled by water to loosen larger pieces of tartar. We will then manually remove smaller deposits and smooth the surfaces of your teeth with a set of hand tools. Finally, we will polish your teeth to a beautiful shine. Dental cleaning is a simple procedure that should not cause pain, and it is absolutely crucial to your oral health.

Note that if you have skipped a few cleanings or have developed periodontal (gum) disease, we may need to do a more extensive type of cleaning known as scaling and root planing. This lets us clean out any pockets that may have formed between the teeth and gums, allowing healing to occur.

If your teeth are weak, prone to cavities, or have exposed roots due to recession we might suggest a fluoride treatment. In this easy procedure, we will paint fluoride directly onto your teeth in the form of a varnish. This strengthens the teeth and minimizes the risk for tooth decay. Fluoride treatments are most often performed on children, but many adults may benefit as well.

Proper oral hygiene is the first line of defense against tooth decay and gum disease. At each appointment, we will gladly answer any questions you have and provide tips and tricks for improving your oral hygiene routine.

Most often applied to children's teeth, dental sealants can be helpful for adults as well. The back teeth are covered with grooves and depressions that can make them difficult to fully clean. A thin layer of clear or white dental sealant creates a strong resin film that covers those areas, sealing out the bacteria and food debris that can cause decay.

If you or your child play a sport that requires or recommends a mouth guard, we strongly suggest having a custom guard made in our office. Off the shelf mouth guards rarely fit properly and can cause irritation as well as leaving the teeth and gums exposed to injury. “Boil and bite” mouth guards allow some customization, but nothing is as protective as a properly-fitted mouth guard that is individually made for your or your child’s mouth.

Call Kensington Natural Smiles today at 301-933-3903 to schedule your appointment.