Complete Dental Hygiene Services

Whether you simply need to schedule your next dental check-up or you are in need of a more complex restorative treatment, we are here to take care of your smile. We encourage all our patients to visit us at least once every six months.

During these routine appointments, we will provide a thorough dental cleaning and exam to make sure that your smile is in good health. Based on the results of your cleaning and exam, we will recommend any preventive or restorative treatments you need to improve your oral health.

Our dentist and hygienist will review your oral hygiene routine with you and make recommendations on how you can improve it to keep your mouth clean and your smile healthy and beautiful. While regular dental care in our office is important, nothing will help your smile more than maintaining a good home-care routine.

Good dental hygiene includes a number of daily habits and practices that help to keep your smile healthy and bright. Our dentist recommends that you follow these basic steps to help your smile stay in optimal health:

• Brush your teeth after each meal or at least twice a day. We encourage you to use a soft-bristled toothbrush and a toothpaste that includes fluoride.
• Floss at least once every day. The most important time to floss is just before you go to sleep at night.
• Eat a balanced diet. Limiting your intake of very sugary and acidic foods can help to prevent tooth decay.
• Maintain your regular visits to the dentist every six months. During these visits, we will provide a professional teeth cleaning and a thorough dental exam to make certain we provide any needed preventive or restorative treatments.

We will review your dental hygiene habits with you and offer needed information on any additional steps you can take to further improve your oral health.

Comprehensive Cleanings

An important part of your continued oral health is your regular dental cleanings. Receiving a dental cleaning and exam at six-month intervals allows our dentist to monitor your oral health and quickly diagnose and treat any issues that may develop.

During your teeth cleaning and exam, our dental team will:

• Clean your teeth by removing any plaque or tartar (also called dental calculus), which can lead to tooth decay and periodontal disease
• Floss and polish your teeth for a healthy, bright smile
• Examine your smile for signs of any damaging dental conditions or diseases

We utilize dental X-rays to further evaluate your smile and make certain that you receive the dental care you need. Regular dental cleanings and exams are essential in maintaining good oral health, preventing cavities and gum disease, and making sure that any damaging conditions are treated as early as possible.

Efficient Gum Disease Treatment

Carson Valley Dental Arts provides effective gum disease treatments to help bring your gums back to a healthy state. Dr. Torres usually performs scaling and root planing to help heal the gums, but if the disease is too severe, surgery may be required.

Gum disease, also called periodontal disease, is a degenerative condition primarily caused by bacteria found in plaque. The bacteria inflames and infects the gum tissues, and when left untreated, can eventually cause the gums to pull away from the teeth. An untreated periodontal disease can result in bone loss, tooth loss and gum tissue recession.

If your gums are swollen, red, or tender, or if your gums bleed easily, you may have periodontal disease. Other common symptoms of gum disease include loose teeth, painful chewing, persistent bad breath and receding gums that make your teeth appear longer than normal. Following an exam at our office, our dentist and team will be able to determine whether you suffer from periodontal disease.

The treatment for gum disease is based upon your specific dental needs. Depending on the severity of the condition, our dentist may recommend additional professional dental cleanings, improved at-home oral hygiene, antibiotic treatment, scaling and root planning (deep cleanings) or gum surgery.

Restore Your Smile With Periodontal Surgery

If you suffer from severe gum (periodontal) disease, Dr. Torres may need to perform periodontal surgery to restore your smile. There are a number of periodontal surgical options available, all of which have the same goal in mind: to improve the function, health and appearance of your smile and jaw.

Dr. Matthew Torres will carefully evaluate your smile and your dental needs to determine whether oral surgery is the best available treatment choice for you, and if so, which surgery type would be best.

Surgery can even be non-invasive through the use of laser gum treatment. This advanced option allows him to treat your gums without the use of drills or anesthetics.

Protect Your Teeth From Decay With Dental Sealants

A sealant is a preventive dental treatment that our dentist may recommend to protect your teeth from decay. A dental sealant is made of a clear or tooth-colored resin material, which is painted onto the chewing surface of the tooth.

By blocking out the bacteria and food debris that lead to tooth decay, the sealant prevents decay and cavities. The dental sealant forms a smooth surface over the natural pits and grooves of the tooth surface, which also makes it easier to effectively clean your teeth with normal brushing.

Our dentist usually recommends sealants for younger patients between the ages of 6 and 12, but they can also be a beneficial treatment option for adults whose teeth are prone to decay.