Preventive Dentistry for Arlington Families
If you or your loved one is experiencing a dental problem, our team at South Arlington Dental Care Is always here to provide skilled, personalized care – but wouldn’t it be easier if we could help you prevent these problems from happening in the first place? With thorough check-ups, revitalizing cleanings, and other protective measures, patients can feel more confident about their smile than ever before. Please contact our Arlington, TX practice today to schedule an appointment, or if you have any questions! Dr. Prachi Shah also welcomes new patients from the nearby areas of Arlington, Fort Worth, and Burleson.
Dental Check-Ups & Cleanings
Dr. Shah strongly recommends that children and adults alike attend at least two thorough check-ups and cleanings a year. These routine visits are the most effective way to achieve and maintain excellent oral health over the years allowing our team to locate potential concerns and address them at the earliest stages.
During your regular evaluation, our team visually examines every aspect of your mouth and related structures, including teeth, gums, lips, palate, cheeks, bite, jaw joints, existing restorations, and even the face and neck. Digital X-rays allow us to view tricky or hidden areas to form a complete understanding of your dental needs. Once Dr. Shah has all of this information, she can work with you to create a personalized treatment plan that addresses your needs.
Over time, patients experience the accumulation of plaque on their teeth. This sticky, bacteria-filled substance is relatively harmless as long as it’s cleared away fast with brushing and flossing. However, spots that are allowed to linger can turn into hard deposits. Only a professional hygienist can remove these deposits, and our team at South Arlington Dental Care would be happy to handle the job.
Learn More About Dental Checkups and Teeth Cleanings
Quality Oral Hygiene Products
Using the right tools and products can make all the difference in your oral hygiene routine, as well as at our Arlington, TX practice. After all, Dr. Shah wants to provide your family with the best the dental world has to offer. If you’re unsure about the right toothpastes, oral rinses, and other items to purchase, our team can offer you personalized recommendations that are sure to exceed expectations.
Children's Dentistry
We love seeing children at South Arlington Dental Care! Dr. Shah is a member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and has taken numerous courses in children's dentistry. She has extensive experience with children of all ages and special needs. Dr. Shah has the skills and knowledge needed to help your son or daughter feel comfortable and at ease on the path towards lifelong oral health. The AAPD recommends children be seen by a dentist from when the first tooth comes in, usually by age 1. This visit will provide a dental home for your child and allow for early examination and preventative care that will protect your child’s teeth now and in the future. We can provide sealants, fluoride treatments and sports guards to help protect teeth from decay, trauma and injuries. Twice annual check-up and cleaning visits will not only help us identify tooth decay and gum disease, but also help us evaluate growth patterns and need for orthodontics.
Dental Sealants
Sometimes, smiles need a little extra protection from damage, especially if the patient is still learning to take care of his or her teeth and gums. In particular, a patient’s back molars can often be tricky to reach and clean properly. At South Arlington Dental Care, Dr. Shah recommends dental sealants as a valuable preventive measure that minimizes the risk for cavities and helps children keep smiling brightly. We may also recommend sealants for adult patients with an oversensitivity to decay.
Dental sealants consist of a tough plastic material that’s painted directly over the chewing surfaces of teeth, effectively “sealing” them shut. This prevents food particles and dangerous bacteria from being able to accumulate in the area. With proper care, sealants last up to 10 years!
Oral Cancer Screenings
Everyone hears about cavities and periodontal disease in the dentist’s office, but what about oral cancer? On average, this dangerous condition claims one life every hour, and over half of patients don’t go on to live more than five years past their initial diagnosis. Here in Arlington, Dr. Shah takes the threat of oral cancer very seriously, which is why our team makes oral cancer screenings a crucial part of every routine check-up.
Tell-tale signs of oral cancer include red or white spots within the mouth, slowly healing oral sores, lumps or thickened areas, and pain located in the tongue or lips. During your screening, our team carefully searches for these symptoms and more, taking note of any potentially cancerous areas. If we find cause for concern, a biopsy may be in order to determine whether or not oral cancer is present.
Sportsguards for Active Athletes
Participating in athletic events should be fun for you and your children; the last thing you want to worry about is whether your smile may get hurt in the process. Dr. Shah strongly recommends that patients wear customized sportsguards from our Arlington office when participating in activities that include possible contact with hard surfaces or other players. We always ensure that your oral appliance fits properly and feels comfortable so you enjoy yourself to the fullest!
Nightguards for TMJ/Bruxism
Do any of these symptoms sound familiar?
- Teeth that are inexplicably worn down or damaged
- Increased tooth sensitivity
- Morning headaches
- Jaw muscles that feel overly tired or tight in the morning
- Pain that resembles an earache
If you found yourself nodding along with this list, it’s possible that you’re suffering from bruxism. Also known as teeth grinding, this condition negatively affects countless men and women every day, and without a solution, patients may eventually develop debilitating discomfort that’s indicative of TMJ disorder. Here at South Arlington Dental Care, Dr. Shah can help with a personalized nightguard. By wearing this oral appliance at night, patients protect their teeth form the damaging effects of grinding.
Periodontal Disease Treatment
Around four out of every five people are likely to have periodontal disease – and many don’t even realize it! This is because the condition tends to start out mildly, only to advance to destructive levels if left untreated for too long. During your regular check-ups here in Arlington, Dr. Shah and her team make the diagnosis of periodontal disease a priority. If we locate tell-tale symptoms or damage, revitalizing treatment options are available, such as root planing and scaling, antibiotic therapy, and soft tissue laser therapy.
Digital X-Rays
X-rays have become an essential part of the dental care process, allowing doctors to consult a more accurate image of the patient’s oral health needs and problems that may be lurking below the teeth and gums. Traditional X-rays, however, brought with them several problems, such as the tedious development time and the significant doses of radiation. Today, Dr. Shah offers digital radiography as a significantly improved and safer method for helping patients of all ages in Arlington, TX.
Digital X-rays come with significant advantages when compared to traditional models. Once they’re captured, the detailed files can instantly be accessed on our nearby computer monitor. In fact, our team members can magnify and color-code the image so patients have a better understanding of what they’re looking at. X-rays can be easily transferred to outside specialists and insurance companies as well, and the amount of necessary radiation is reduced by up to 90%.
Soft Tissue Laser Treatment
Here at South Arlington Dental Care, we strive to stay right at the forefront of new dental technology, and our state-of-the-art soft tissue laser is no exception. Instead of having to use a scalpel, Dr. Shah can remove oral tissue with exceptional precision and minimal trauma, creating the results patients need with more ease and comfort than ever before. In fact, many cases don’t even require sutures because of the instant sterilization and minimal bleeding.
Our team typically recommends soft tissue laser treatment for patients suffering from moderate to severe periodontal disease. We eliminate and/or reduce the depth of gum pockets, restoring healthy structure and promoting healing for your hurting mouth. Crown lengthening and gum recontouring can also be expertly performed.