Comprehensive Checkups

Dental Checkups in Naperville, IL

Checkups

The American Dental Association recommends you see your dentist at least twice each year for a checkup. At your checkup, we will inspect your soft tissues for oral cancer, periodontal disease, and other problems. Dr. Caputo will also look at each tooth in your mouth to assess problems like tooth decay or cracks, as well as old dental work. Sometimes old dental work wears out and needs to be replaced. We will be happy to replace metal fillings, inlays, onlays, and crowns with tooth-colored alternatives.

 

By looking for trouble every six months, we can often reduce your potential for large dental problems. For instance, left untreated, a small cavity can grow to destroy an entire tooth and spread to surrounding teeth. A cracked tooth can cause pain or break off and create additional problems. Furthermore, advanced gum disease is the primary cause of tooth loss for American adults, and oral cancer causes more than 7,500 deaths each year. Caught and treated early, these diseases can be controlled.

 

If you have not scheduled a checkup lately, be sure to call our Naperville dental office now to make your appointment! Children as young as two should visit the dentist, and by age four or five, a child should attend regular checkups.

Dental Sealants

Dental Sealants in Naperville, IL

Many people have deep pits and grooves in their teeth where bacteria and food particles can hide and cause decay. Children with poor brushing habits may also develop decay on hard-to-reach molars. For situations like these, dental sealants offer a means of protecting molar and premolar chewing surfaces from decay. Recognized by the American Dental Association as a key means of cavity prevention, dental sealants are simply a thin plastic film that can be applied to teeth.

 

First, we identify and fill any spots of decay, then prepare your teeth with a cleaning and etching solution. After about 15 seconds, we thoroughly rinse the solution, dry the surface, coat your teeth with the sealant, and harden it with a curing light. The entire procedure is fast, easy, and comfortable. It takes about 10 to 45 minutes, depending on the number of teeth to seal.

 

Dental sealants create an impenetrable physical barrier for small food particles and cavity-causing bacteria, making them highly effective in preventing tooth surface decay and the resulting cavities. Sealants can last up to ten years. Most insurance companies only cover sealant procedures at a minimal level, but the good news is that insurance companies seem to be recognizing this technique's value as a preventive measure that will help reduce future dental costs and more aggressive treatments. Ask us about dental sealants for you and your kids today!

Fluoride Supplements

Today, most US tap water contains fluoride. However, most bottled water doesn't. Many people have fluoride deficiency, which puts teeth at a greater risk for getting cavities. In some cases, parents think that they are protecting their babies by using bottled water to mix formula, but actually, tap water is better in this case. Many children pack bottled water in school lunches, and adults tend to toss a bottled water in the car instead of filling up a reusable water bottle with tap water.

 

Fluoride is an interesting mineral because it attracts other minerals and strengthens tooth enamel. At your checkup, we can determine whether your teeth would benefit from a fluoride supplement. If we find that your teeth could use a boost, we'll recommend a simple solution.

 

Fluoride mouth rinse in many flavors is available at our Naperville dental office. One quick rinse and your teeth will have a better chance of staying healthy. We offer supplemental fluoride for patients of all ages. Oftentimes, our hygienist will recommend additional ways to keep your fluoride levels up between dental visits. These may include switching to tap water or using a fluoride-rich mouthwash at home.

Children's Dentistry

Children's Dentistry in Naperville, IL

We offer gentle care during children's dentistry appointments!

Our office regularly cares for the dental needs of children as young as three years old. However, if you notice that your child has a problem with his or her teeth or gums prior to this age, please schedule an appointment. You may also want to bring your child to your dental checkup when he or she is about two so that your child can become familiar with the sights, sounds, and friendly helpers in our Naperville dental office. Your child's independent checkup at age three will involve a tooth-by-tooth inspection and periodontal exam. The dentist will check for proper development, as well as tooth decay and other areas of concern.

As your child grows, he or she will need regular checkups and hygiene visits to ensure optimal oral health. Our team will also teach oral homecare techniques so that your child can learn how to effectively brush and floss, with your help at first, then on his or her own. The dentist may recommend dental sealants or fluoride supplements. Sealants are thin, clear coatings that protect hard-to-clean back teeth from the sugars that cause tooth decay. Fluoride attracts other minerals to strengthen tooth enamel and ward off cavities. Because most bottled water does not contain fluoride, your child may be deficient in this essential mineral. Sealants and fluoride supplements are quick and easy protective measures that can save your little one from cavities.

 

Let us help your children learn the importance of optimal oral health from a young age. Call our Naperville dental office to schedule a checkup today! In some cases, we refer children to pedodontists, who are specialists in children's dentistry. We will help you make the best choices for your child's unique and precious personality.

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