Preventive Dentistry

At RiNo Dental, we believe the best dentistry is the dentistry you never need. Preventive dentistry focuses on keeping your teeth and gums healthy, catching problems early, and helping you avoid more extensive and costly treatment in the future.

Routine dental visits allow us to monitor changes in your oral health, remove harmful plaque and tartar buildup, screen for oral cancer, evaluate your gums, and detect cavities or other concerns before they become larger problems. Prevention not only protects your smile, but it can also save you time, discomfort, and money.

What Does Preventive Dentistry Include?

Your preventive care is tailored to your individual needs and may include:

• Comprehensive dental exams

• Professional dental cleanings (prophylaxis)

• Digital X-rays

• Oral cancer screenings

• Periodontal evaluations

• Fluoride treatments

• Prescription-strength fluoride products

• Curodont treatment for qualifying early cavities

• Personalized home care recommendations

Dental Exams

Your routine exam is about much more than checking for cavities. During each visit, your dentist evaluates your teeth, gums, existing dental work, bite, jaw joints, and oral tissues.

We look for:

• Tooth decay

• Cracked or fractured teeth

• Failing fillings or crowns

• Gum disease

• Oral cancer

• Bite problems

• Teeth grinding or clenching

• Early signs of wear or erosion

Finding problems early often means treatment is simpler, less invasive, and less expensive.

Professional Dental Cleanings (Prophylaxis)

A dental prophylaxis, or routine cleaning, is designed for patients with healthy gums or mild gingivitis.

During your cleaning, your hygienist will:

• Remove plaque and tartar buildup

• Polish away surface stains

• Floss between your teeth

• Review your brushing and flossing routine

• Discuss any areas that may need extra attention at home

Even patients with excellent oral hygiene develop tartar that cannot be removed with a toothbrush. Routine cleanings help prevent cavities, gingivitis, bad breath, and future dental problems while keeping your smile looking and feeling its best.

Most patients benefit from cleanings every six months, although some people may need to be seen more frequently depending on their oral health.

What If I Have Gum Disease?

If you've been diagnosed with periodontal disease, a routine preventive cleaning is no longer the appropriate treatment.

Periodontal disease is an infection beneath the gums that damages the supporting bone around your teeth. Once diagnosed, we'll recommend periodontal therapy to remove bacteria below the gumline and help stop the disease from progressing.

After treatment, you'll return every three to four months for periodontal maintenance to help keep your gums healthy and stable.

Digital X-Rays

Not every dental problem can be seen during a visual exam.

Digital X-rays help us diagnose:

• Cavities between teeth

• Bone loss from gum disease

• Infections

• Cracks

• Developing wisdom teeth

• Problems beneath existing fillings or crowns

We follow ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) principles to minimize radiation exposure while ensuring we have the information needed to accurately diagnose your oral health.

Oral Cancer Screenings

Oral cancer is most treatable when it's found early.

During your exam, we'll evaluate your tongue, cheeks, lips, throat, gums, and other soft tissues for any abnormalities.

We also offer enhanced screenings using VELscope technology, which helps identify abnormal tissue that may not be visible during a traditional oral cancer exam.

Fluoride Treatments

Fluoride is one of the most effective ways to strengthen enamel and reduce your risk of cavities. It works by replacing minerals lost during the early stages of tooth decay and making your enamel more resistant to acid attacks from bacteria.

Fluoride treatments may be recommended if you:

• Get cavities frequently

• Have sensitive teeth

• Have dry mouth

• Wear braces or clear aligners

• Have exposed root surfaces

• Are at a higher risk for tooth decay

Professional fluoride treatments only take a few minutes and continue protecting your teeth long after your appointment.

Fluorimax®

Some patients need more protection than a fluoride treatment every six months can provide.

Fluorimax is a prescription-strength fluoride toothpaste that contains a much higher concentration of fluoride than over-the-counter toothpaste. It helps strengthen enamel, reduce sensitivity, and lower the risk of cavities between dental visits.

Your dentist may recommend Fluorimax if you:

• Have frequent cavities

• Have exposed roots

• Experience tooth sensitivity

• Have dry mouth

• Are at high risk for decay

• Have a history of extensive dental work

Because it's prescription strength, Fluorimax should only be used as directed by your dentist.

All Day Toothpaste®

All Day Toothpaste is another excellent option for patients who are prone to cavities or enamel wear.

Unlike traditional toothpaste, All Day Toothpaste is formulated to provide long-lasting protection throughout the day by helping strengthen enamel and supporting the natural remineralization process.

Your dentist may recommend All Day Toothpaste if you're looking for additional protection against cavities, acid erosion, or tooth sensitivity. It's an easy way to support your oral health between routine dental visits.

What Is Curodont?

Curodont is an exciting advancement in minimally invasive dentistry that helps repair certain early cavities without drilling or fillings.

Instead of removing healthy tooth structure, Curodont encourages your tooth to naturally rebuild weakened enamel before a cavity becomes large enough to require a filling.

It's an excellent option for qualifying patients with very early, non-cavitated lesions. It does not work for cavities that have already formed "a hole".

How Does Curodont Work?

The earliest stage of a cavity begins when minerals are lost from the enamel, creating a weakened area known as a white spot lesion.

Curodont contains a self-assembling peptide that penetrates the weakened enamel and forms a microscopic scaffold within the tooth. This scaffold attracts calcium and phosphate from your saliva, allowing the enamel to naturally remineralize over time.

By treating decay early, we may be able to stop it from progressing and help preserve your natural tooth structure.

Who Is a Candidate for Curodont?

Curodont may be recommended for patients with:

• Early enamel lesions

• White spot lesions

• Early demineralization

• Small cavities that haven't formed a hole in the tooth

• Patients who want the most conservative treatment possible

Not every cavity qualifies. If decay has already progressed into the dentin or a cavity has formed, a traditional filling is usually the best treatment.

Does Curodont Replace Fillings?

No.

Curodont is designed to treat cavities before they require a filling. Once a cavity has progressed beyond the enamel and created a hole in the tooth, the damaged structure cannot regenerate and a filling is typically necessary.

Think of Curodont as an opportunity to intervene earlier and help preserve healthy tooth structure.

Does Curodont Hurt?

Not at all.

Treatment is completely non-invasive.

There are:

• No injections

• No drilling

• No removal of healthy tooth structure

The solution is simply applied to the tooth in just a few minutes.

Why Preventive Dentistry Matters

Many dental problems develop without pain. Cavities, gum disease, cracked teeth, and even oral cancer often don't cause symptoms until they've become more advanced.

Routine preventive care allows us to catch problems early, preserve healthy tooth structure, reduce the need for more extensive treatment, and keep your smile healthy for years to come.

At RiNo Dental, we believe prevention is always the best investment. Whether it's a routine cleaning, prescription fluoride therapy, Curodont, or simply helping you improve your home care routine, our goal is to help you keep your natural teeth for life.