Preventive Dentistry Protecting Richardson Smiles

McDougal and Richards Dentistry offers a wide-array of aesthetic, restorative and implant dentistry services for patients in Richardson, Addison, and surrounding areas, but the key element in any oral health care plan should be preventive dental care. The best way to ensure patients have healthy, beautiful smiles for life, is to prevent damage with regular visits to our practice. Scheduling regular appointments two times each year leads to increased prevention, earlier diagnosis, and more conservative treatment options.
Our goal is to help patients achieve and maintain healthy smiles so they never experience tooth decay, gum disease, and other oral health concerns. We are dedicated to patient education because educated patients are able to make the right choices for their dental care.  We strive to make our office a comfortable and welcoming environment for patients. We utilize the most advanced techniques and technologies to ensure every procedure is minimally invasive, and we promise a spa-like atmosphere with blankets, warm towels, complimentary beverages, and more.

Dental Checkups

Our dental checkups typically have three parts: diagnostics, examination, and consultation. During the diagnostic phase, we take low radiation digital x-rays, photos, and use Diagnodent for cavity screening. This is followed with a tooth-by-tooth dental examination, and state-of-the-art periodontal charting utilizing Florida Probe software. The examination also includes screening for common oral health concerns including bruxism (teeth grinding and clenching), temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, and oral cancer. Finally, patients discuss their oral health with Dr. McDougal or Dr. Richards. During this consultation, one of our dentists will explain any current concerns, and make recommendations for effective treatment. Additionally, we may offer suggestions for preventing oral health concerns such as changing toothpastes, brushing techniques, or other portions of your at-home hygiene routine.

Professional Teeth Cleanings

Regular brushing and flossing keeps teeth relatively clean and free from decay, but there are some tooth crevices that even a single toothbrush bristle cannot reach, and even the most diligent brusher and flosser may miss some areas over time. Professional cleanings ensure that teeth and gums stay healthy, and give our team the opportunity to offer patients helpful tips to improve oral health.

Dental Sealants

Patients at a higher risk for tooth decay may wish to consider dental sealants, a thin coat of plastic placed over teeth to seal out decay-causing bacteria. These sealants last up to ten years, and help keep teeth strong and healthy.

Fluoride Treatments

Fluoride is the essential mineral necessary in fortifying and remineralizing tooth enamel. Most people use fluoride toothpastes and mouth rinses every day, but topical fluoride treatments are one of the best ways to keep enamel strong. Fluoride is so beneficial because its qualities also attract other nutrients to strengthen teeth. This is important because the stronger and denser the tooth enamel, the less likely patients are to experience decay.

Contact Your Friendly Richardson Dentist and Team

If you’re in need of a dental checkup and teeth cleaning, contact McDougal and Richards Dentistry today. Our knowledgeable Richardson dental team looks forward to helping you achieve your smile goals soon.