General Dentistry 

General dentistry, also called preventative dentistry, includes services such as dental cleanings (hygiene appointments), sealants and fluoride treatment. 1st Advantage Dental of New York offers general dentistry services to accommodate our patients’ needs and it all starts with outstanding dentists and dental team members.

Visiting a dentist regularly is essential to helping prevent dental disease along with proper regular brushing and flossing. Cleaning and checkup appointments are recommended every six months. The dentist may recommend more or less frequent appointments depending on the unique needs of each patient.

Dental cleanings — Also called dental hygiene appointments, dental cleanings remove plaque and tartar from the teeth. Routine cleanings primarily clean the tooth from the gum line up and are not meant for serious forms of gum disease where a deep cleaning (scaling and root planning) may be necessary.

Your dental hygiene appointment will consist of:

• Gum disease screening, including measurement of the depth of your gums.
• Dental exam to diagnose any cavities or other dental conditions.
  • The hygienist will take x-rays of your teeth unless you had x-rays recently. A full set of x-rays should be taken every 3-5 years, and bite wing x-rays should be taken every year. The x-rays help locate disease and decay not seen by the naked eye.
  • The dentist will perform the exam and check for cavities and other conditions.
  • The dentist will discuss the results of the exam, and answer your questions about the recommended treatment or dental health in general.
• Preventative cleaning.
  • The hygienist will clean and polish your teeth to remove plaque, a sticky film of bacteria on the teeth that produces acid that causes tooth decay. The hygienist will also teach proper flossing or answer any questions about cavity prevention or dental hygiene.
• Soft tissue exam and oral screening to identify changes in the tissues of the mouth or signs of oral cancer.

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Sealants — Sealants are a thin coating of protective material placed on the tooth in an effort to prevent bacteria and sugar from collecting and forming a cavity. This is a quick, easy procedure. Sealants are common for kids and teens because decay is more likely to develop early in life.

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Flouride treatment — Fluoride is placed on teeth after a dental cleaning to help strengthen tooth enamel and make it less likely for a cavity to form. Flouride treatment is typically given once a year, or as needed, to all children under age 14. Flouride is either given as a foam or gel placed in trays set over the child’s teeth.

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General Dentistry and Dental Care Service Locations
Bethlehem (in Delmar), Clifton Park, Colonie (in Albany), Delmar, Hudson, Latham, Queensbury, Rotterdam (in Schenectady), Saratoga (in Saratoga Springs), Troy and White Plains.