Brenner Dental Care offers preventive dental services at our office in Seattle. You can read about some of the most common preventive services below.
Checkups
We recommend dental checkups twice a year for patients with good oral health, in line with American Dental Association treatment guidelines. A checkup gives us the opportunity to update your dental records and assess your oral health. With regular checkups, we can spot oral health threats like tooth decay and gum disease early, when they’re easiest to treat.
How We Can Help:
An adult checkup may include these services:
- Dental X-rays
- Digital photos
- Tooth-by-tooth inspection
- Head and neck exam
- Occlusion/bite analysis
- Oral cancer screening
- Gum disease assessment
- Dental cleaning
- Treatment consultation
Children should start getting checkups by age 2 or 3. We may not take X-rays or photos of your child’s teeth and mouth, and they may not need a cleaning until age 3 or 4. With children, we also check for proper dental and facial development.
Dental Cleanings
Regular dental cleanings reduce the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Plus, plaque produces a foul odor, so when we remove it, your breath is fresher. If your gums are red, tender or swollen, or they bleed when you brush your teeth, you may have gum disease, a serious infection that requires immediate care.
How We Can Help:
To keep teeth and gums healthy, you need a hygiene visit, a.k.a. cleaning, every six months. At this appointment, your dental hygienist will assess the soft tissues in your mouth and compare the findings with your last visit. Then the hygienist will remove plaque, tartar, and food particles from your teeth.
Gum Disease
If you show signs of gum disease, your hygienist will recommend a deep cleaning to remove plaque from below the gum line. Some patients benefit from special mouth rinses, antibiotic therapy, or lifestyle changes to reduce gum disease. Regular maintenance visits are required to keep gums healthy and strong.
How We Can Help:
Gum disease is the main cause of tooth loss in American adults, and it’s linked to other health conditions, including:
- Heart disease
- Respiratory problems
- Mental dysfunction
Eighty percent of American adults have a form of gum disease.
Mouthguard
You wear protective pads, a helmet, shoes, and gloves when you play sports. It only makes sense to take the same precaution for your mouth. A custom mouthguard can protect your smile (teeth, mouth, and jaw) against injury. Every athlete should make a mouthguard standard gear.
How We Can Help:
While the athletic mouthguards you can buy at pharmacies and sporting goods stores are better than nothing, they have drawbacks. For optimal protection and a comfortable, durable, custom-fitted appliance, come to us! We’ll be happy to create your personal mouthguard from a dental impression. It will fit snugly and comfortably and provide the best protection for your mouth.
Sealants & Fluoride
We may recommend dental sealants and fluoride supplements during a checkup — especially for children. These preventive measures can prevent tooth decay.
How We Can Help:
A dental sealant is a clear plastic coating that we paint on the chewing surfaces of back teeth. Once hardened, it creates a barrier against the sugars and starches that cause tooth decay. For kids, teens and adults, sealants on hard-to-clean back teeth minimizes the risk of cavities. Dental sealants wear off over time, so they should be replaced periodically.
Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that attracts other minerals to strengthen tooth enamel and deter cavity-causing bacteria. Adults and children benefit from professional fluoride rinses.
Seattle’s Trusted Dentist
Dr. Bryan Brenner is known for creating a welcoming, comfortable environment where patients feel at ease. His goal is to help every patient enjoy a healthy smile they’re proud to show off.
Dr. Brenner’s approach is gentle, thoughtful, and rooted in connection. He takes time to understand each patient’s needs and concerns, especially when anxiety or past experiences have made dental visits difficult. As part of the Queen Anne community, he values the trust patients place in him and works to earn it at every visit.
