Family Dentistry in Phoenix, AZ

We hope that you and your family can avoid having to come to see us for a painful dental problem! Your routine dental care is what can help us achieve this goal. It's ideal to see your dentist every six months. With this schedule, it's quite likely that your teeth will feel fine, and that you won't struggle with sensitivity or toothaches. To us, it sounds like a much better way to go through life; with a healthy, pain-free smile!

Dental sealants are "plastic caps" that are placed onto molars. The durable, clear resin material is applied in liquid form. It hardens almost immediately, after which the sealant stays in place over the deep crevices that might harbor food debris and bacteria. This treatment can be extraordinarily helpful for children who tend to get cavities easily. While the plastic material does wear down over time, this usually takes five years or longer. Many dental sealants can last about 10 years. During routine dental visits, the sealants are checked carefully to ensure they are in good working order. As needed, sealants can be reapplied.

Dental sealants are incredibly beneficial not only for children but also for teens and adults of all ages! That said, it is not wise to look at sealants as 100 percent protective. They do not diminish the value of daily oral hygiene. Even after getting dental sealants, it's imperative to brush your teeth every morning and night, and also to floss every day. Remember, dental sealants seep into the deep grooves on the chewing surface of molars. Brushing and flossing remove the bacteria and acids from the areas around the plastic caps, right down to the gum line.

It's been many years since the value of fluoride was discovered. That discovery led to the widespread fluoridation of public drinking water. To understand the value of this mineral, it's important to first look at the nature of enamel. Teeth are covered with a hard outer shell of enamel, a substance that is made up of hydroxyapatite. Foods that are acidic, including soda, berries, juice, and other items, can cause what's referred to as demineralization. The enamel becomes somewhat "soft" for a short period of time after we consume such foods. The oral bacteria that naturally live in the mouth also produce acids. When fluoride is added to the mouth, a chemical reaction occurs within tooth enamel. This reaction builds the hydroxyl molecule within the hydroxylapatite that strengthens enamel. With this addition of the hydroxyl molecule, enamel remains stronger and more resilient than it would without the remineralization process.

With many adults, and also children, drinking bottled water or filtered water today, we must become more mindful about the targeted use of fluoride for healthy smiles. Here at Arcadia Dental Arts, we perform comfortable fluoride treatments as needed to continue fortifying teeth against tooth decay.

Common signs such as pain when chewing, tooth sensitivity, swollen gums, dental abscesses, and even fever can indicate a tooth infection. These may take several months to develop. If left untreated, it can take an additional few months for the infection to spread throughout the mouth, causing other dental complications and making it difficult to chew, eat, or talk. Visits to your family dentist every six months are a great way to prevent a tooth infection for both you and your child.

Knowing when your child should see their family dentist outside of regular dental checkups can help avoid severe dental problems. If your child is experiencing any of the following symptoms, schedule a visit at Arcadia Dental Arts as soon as possible:

• Toothache or tooth pain
• Swollen or irritated gums
• White or brown spots on teeth
• Increased tooth sensitivity when eating extremely hot or cold foods
• Loose teeth
• Adult teeth cannot completely break through gums
• Adult teeth appear crooked

Teaching your child how to take care of their teeth on their own is a great way to teach about the importance of oral health and how to avoid future dental problems. Encourage them to keep up with the following habits:

• Brushing twice a day
• Using fluoride toothpaste for optimal bacteria prevention
• Flossing daily
• Getting familiar with their family dentist
• Avoiding foods and drinks that can be harmful to their teeth

In comparison to a general dentist, family dentistry offers many benefits for parents and children. When you commit to a family dentist, each member of your family can have a central dental office to go to for every dental problem. Getting familiar with the dentist can also ease dental anxiety for you as a parent and for your children. 

Additionally, many dental problems can be related to genetic history. Having a dentist who understands your oral family history can help them better treat your children. Your family dentist is a long-lasting relationship that can see your child through losing their baby teeth to getting their braces off. Family dentistry at Arcadia Dental Arts provides consistent, high-quality dental care for all families.