Preventive Dentistry

Helping you maintain a healthy smile throughout your life is our team’s top priority. Regular wear and tear, along with decay and damage, are typical problems you may encounter on your dental health journey.

That’s where we come in! At McKibben Dental, we provide the patients of Reynoldsburg with an extensive range of treatments that stop dental damage and minimize any problems before they can even start. 

From standard dental exams and dental cleanings to oral cancer exams and fluoride treatments, our staff works closely with you to protect and preserve your beautiful smile and healthy mouth.

What is Preventative Dentistry?

Preventative dentistry is a collection of general dentistry services that strengthen, support and protect your teeth, gums and jaw. At McKibben Dental, our aim is to catch any dental problems before they start and protect your mouth from any future issues.

Prevention is the most effective way to care for your mouth, but it doesn’t just apply to the dentist’s office. Taking care of your teeth by brushing twice a day, flossing, avoiding sugary and sticky foods and keeping up-to-date with your regular dental appointments are also essential for oral health.

What Services are Included in Preventive Dentistry?

Preventative procedures and services are simple, effective and usually very affordable for patients. As a full-service dental practice, we offer a range of options to benefit your dental and overall health. 

Common services include:

• Comprehensive oral exams
• Professional cleanings
• Dental fillings
• Dental sealants
• Fluoride treatments
• Tooth extractions

Oral exams and professional cleanings are two of the most common services a dentist performs. During a biannual exam, our team will closely inspect and examine your teeth, gums, tissues and muscles for any sign of decay or concern. If needed, we’ll also take X-rays.

Our dental hygienists will also give you a thorough cleaning and gum disease examination. An oral cancer exam is always included in a standard dental appointment, too.

If our staff spots cavities in your mouth, we may recommend a filling to prevent further decay. In more serious cases, tooth extraction may be needed. In this case, your comfort remains our priority and we will do everything we can to make both the extraction and healing process simple and painless for you.

With some teeth being so hard to reach, sometimes needing a filling or extraction can’t be avoided. However, we still hope to help our patients however we can. Dental sealants and fluoride treatments are two common methods to ward off tooth decay and keep teeth safe from bacteria. 

Sealants are a special type of resin a dentist applies to the chewing surface of teeth. These protective shields last for up to 10 years and make it easier for patients to brush their teeth. Sealants are common among young children who are still learning to care for their developing teeth, but are equally beneficial for adults, too!

Fluoride treatments are usually part of a standard hygiene appointment with your dentist. During the exam, our team will apply this naturally-occurring, safe mineral to your teeth to both strengthen enamel and prevent tooth decay. 

While fluoride is included in toothpaste and sometimes even added to city water supplies, our team will recommend an additional treatment if we think you’re at risk of tooth decay and could benefit from stronger enamel.

Looking for Preventative Dentistry Services in the Columbus area?

We’re always welcoming new patients to our practice. To book an appointment with the McKibben Dental team today, give us a call during office hours at 614-575-9530.

We look forward to seeing you soon!