General Dentistry in Stockton, CA

Excellent oral health starts with regular cleanings at our dental practice in Stockton CA. The purpose of thorough cleaning is to remove the buildup of hardened plaque, called “tartar,” which your regular home brushing can’t remove. Tartar provides a breeding ground for the bacteria which causes gum disease, so removing it helps prevent gum disease and preserve your smile. 

With every cleaning comes an examination at our dental practice. We’re going to look for cavities, obviously, but also early signs of gum disease or oral cancer. We can also check teens and young adults for impacted wisdom teeth and advise our patients on issues like excessive wear resulting from poor alignment of teeth or a problem in the way the top and bottom teeth meet when you smile. 

When you’re scheduled for x-rays at your Stockton dentist office, these digital, low-dose images enable us to check for decay between teeth where it can’t be seen during an examination, at the root of your teeth or in the bone below the gum line. X-rays help us catch problems while they are small so they are easier to remedy before you need additional treatments and services such as dental implants. 

Our younger patients and those who are especially susceptible to cavities can benefit from in-office fluoride treatment. A professional fluoride treatment helps harden enamel so it is more capable of resisting cavities and preserving your smile. If you feel you or your child are getting too many cavities, please ask your dentist in Stockton CA about this treatment.

Many people don’t realize that we are as interested in the health of their gums as we are in the health of their teeth. Your teeth rely completely on the health of your gums for their stability and longevity. If your gums harbor too many bacteria, they can become severely infected and this can result in the loss of all your teeth, requiring dental implants. If we find advanced gum disease, we will recommend scaling and root planing. Scaling involves cleaning away the tartar below the gum line using special instruments, and planing refers to smoothing any irregularities on the roots of your teeth to eliminate any areas where bacteria might thrive. As your gums heal, they will hug your teeth more tightly which helps prevent the growth of bacteria on your smile. 

Small children need regular preventative dental care just as much as adults do. At our Stockton dentist in Stockton CA, we recommend that you bring your child in for their first examination within six months of their first tooth coming in. We can advise you on any early problems we see and what might need to be improved in their at-home care. The other advantage of early dental care is that your child gets accustomed to seeing the dentist early in life—a great start for a lifetime of a healthy smile and teeth! Learn more.