Varun P. Joseph, DDS, your trusted Plano family dentist, firmly believes in a preventive strategy to dental care so that you can enjoy a healthy and fantastic smile! Dr. Joseph has trained in many fields of dentistry and strongly believes in continuing his education to give the best care possible for your family. Preventive dentistry entails more than regular hygiene checkups and cleanings; it helps to monitor your oral health and find problems before they become more serious or costly. Here a few things you can do and help us prevent problems!
- Brush Your Teeth Daily
- Floss Daily
- Eat a Balanced Diet
A regular preventive checkup includes a comprehensive exam of your teeth, gums, and signs of decay or damage. If Dr. Joseph finds any problems, he will discuss possible treatment plans to remove the issues and tailors a plan that suits you comfortably.
Have You Had Your Regular Dental Checkup & Cleaning?
At Plano Family Dental we think one of the most critical aspects of preventative dentistry is your 6-month checkup and cleaning. Your regular checkup visit allows Dr. Joseph to make an assessment and track your oral health status. If needed, he may also recommend treatment or homecare techniques that may prevent more severe or expensive problems.
Can I Bring My Children to See You?
Always! We love working with young patients to promote excellent oral hygiene habits. Most importantly, we want to make sure your child is comfortable visiting the dentist. Contact our incredible team, and they will be happy to provide dental care for all your family members and answer any questions you may have!
Learn More About Children's DentistryWhen Was Your Last Oral Cancer Screening?
An oral cancer screening is a visual and physical exam of the oral cavity and connected tissues. It can reassure a patient that there are no apparent problems, or trigger early treatment if there are. Our dentist might suggest screening in response to one's lifestyle choices, or the patient may request it simply as a precautionary measure. Call our Plano office today to get checked.
During an oral cancer screening, Dr. Joseph will visually and physically perform an exam of your mouth. The goal of oral cancer screening is to detect cancer or lesions that may lead to mouth cancer at an early stage. Some patients have a higher risk of oral cancer and may need to be screened more often.
- Tobacco use of any kind, including cigarettes, cigars, pipes, chewing tobacco, and snuff, among others
- Heavy alcohol use
- Previous oral cancer diagnosis
- History of significant sun exposure, which increases the risk of lip cancer
What Is a Dental Fluoride Treatment?
At Plano Family Dental, we apply fluoride to your top and bottom teeth which creates a type of shield that protects your teeth from plaque bacteria and acid, additionally it can help in the prevention of cavities. If you did not know, fluoride is a natural mineral that is often added to tap water and in most toothpaste in small quantities to strengthen the dental enamel. Fluoride treatments are both safe and effective in decreasing the prevalence of cavities, by 95% specifically when combined with dental sealants. Feel free to contact Dr. Joseph to learn how the process works and to see if you require fluoride treatment.
What Are Dental Sealants?
Are you afraid that your child or teenager may develop cavities? Dental sealants are an easy to apply coat that protects pits and grooves in your teeth. Dr. Joseph regularly recommends them for children who are still building their oral hygiene skills; however, they can be beneficial for anyone with constant tooth decay or damaged enamel. Dr. Joseph usually places sealants on your rear teeth, molars, however, it can be applied to any tooth. After the Plano Family Dental team has set the dental sealants, they help protect your teeth and last several years. Schedule a appointment to see if you, or your child need dental sealants!
Nightguards for Grinding (Bruxism)
Do you grind your teeth or clench your jaw roughly while sleeping? It may seem like a harmless habit, but it may lead to severe damage in the future. At our Plano dental practice, we use custom-crafted oral appliances, which are very similar to mouth guards worn by athletes to provide a barrier between your top and bottom teeth to protect your teeth while you sleep. Dr. Joseph uses state of the dental technology to create a custom fitting nightguard which comfortably fits your mouth and allows you to breathe comfortably at night.
Athletic/Sports Mouth Guard
Athletic mouth guards are generally used to protect the teeth from injury during sports. Since most of the dental emergencies are sports related, if your child participates in any kind of sports, Dr. Joseph recommends purchasing them an athletic mouth guard. Your dentist in Plano can recommend the right mouth guard for your child’s needs as a custom fit offers better protection from damage.
Call our Plano office at (972) 286-5090 to schedule your next family dental appointment. We offer comprehensive preventive, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry to our patients from Richardson, Murphy, Allen, Parker, McKinney, and all around the immediate area.