The easiest dental problems to fix are the ones we catch before you ever feel them. That is the whole idea behind preventive care at our office. Twice a year, we look closely, clean thoroughly, and tell you the truth
about what we see. Most visits end with us saying everything looks great, and honestly, that is our favorite
way to end an appointment.
Every preventive service we offer lives on this page. Click into any of them to learn what the visit actually
looks like, how long it takes, and what it does for you. If you would rather just ask us directly, call the office at
(512) 646-4420. A real person answers.
Preventive Dentistry
Comprehensive Dental Exams
A good exam is quiet, thorough work. Dr. Salinas checks every tooth, your gums, your bite, your jaw joints,
and the soft tissues of your mouth, and she explains what she finds in plain English while you watch on the
screen above your chair. Nothing gets recommended without you seeing the reason for it first. Most exams
take about an hour, including your cleaning, and most patients need one just twice a year.
Preventive Dentistry
Even people who brush and floss perfectly build up tartar in spots a toothbrush simply cannot reach. Our
hygienists remove all of it gently, polish away surface stains, and send you home with your teeth feeling like
glass. Patients tell us our cleanings are the most relaxed they have ever had, and we take that as a challenge
to keep it that way.
Preventive Dentistry
You cannot fix what you cannot see, and a lot of what matters in dentistry happens below the gumline. Our
digital X-rays and 3D imaging show us decay between teeth, infection at the roots, and bone changes long
before they cause pain, using a small fraction of the radiation of old film X-rays. The images appear instantly,
and we always walk you through them.
Preventive Dentistry
Fluoride is the simplest thing we do all day and one of the most effective. After your cleaning, a quick varnish
strengthens your enamel and makes it noticeably harder for cavities to get started. It takes about a minute.
Kids benefit, and so do adults who are prone to cavities or dealing with sensitivity.
Preventive Dentistry
The chewing surfaces of your back teeth are full of deep grooves that trap food and bacteria no matter how
well you brush. Sealants fill those grooves with a thin protective coating, applied in minutes without any
drilling or numbing. We recommend them for most kids and for plenty of adults too.
Preventive Dentistry
Every exam at our office includes a screening for oral cancer. It adds about two minutes to your visit, and
when oral cancer is found early, treatment outcomes improve dramatically. You probably will not even notice
we are doing it, but it may be the most important two minutes of your appointment.
Preventive Dentistry
If you wake up with a sore jaw, tension headaches, or teeth that look shorter than they used to, you may be
grinding at night without knowing it. A custom night guard protects your teeth while you sleep and usually
brings relief within days. It fits precisely because we make it just for you.
Preventive Dentistry
Between football, basketball, cheer, and everything else Austin kids get into, we see our share of chipped and
knocked out teeth. A custom sports guard fits better, protects better, and gets worn more consistently than
anything from a sporting goods store. One appointment can save a tooth.
Preventive Dentistry
Toothaches and dental accidents do not check your calendar first. When something breaks, swells, or hurts,
call us at (512) 646-4420 and we will do everything we can to see you the same day. Existing patient or not,
we are not going to leave you in pain.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Common Questions About Preventive Dentistry
Every six months works well for most people. If you are prone to cavities or have other risk factors, Dr. Salinas
may suggest coming a little more often. She will tell you exactly what she recommends for you and why, and
the schedule gets built around your mouth, not a policy.
Most plans cover exams, cleanings, and X-rays at or near 100 percent, because insurance companies know
prevention saves everyone money. Our front desk will verify your benefits before your visit so there are no
surprises. No insurance? Call us and we will talk through simple, fair pricing.
No. We are genuinely glad you are coming in, and that is the only thing you will hear from us about it. We will
figure out where things stand, make a plan together, and move forward. Life gets busy. We get it.
A regular cleaning removes plaque and tartar from above the gumline and keeps healthy mouths healthy. A
deep cleaning goes below the gumline and is a treatment for gum disease rather than routine maintenance. If
we ever see signs you need more than a standard cleaning, we will show you exactly what we are seeing and
refer or treat as appropriate.
Ready to schedule?
Visit Our Office — 512ooth Family Dentistry, 8701 W State Hwy 71 #102, Austin, TX 78735.