Dental Exams and Cleanings

Regular dental exams and teeth cleanings are key to maintaining a healthy smile. With Surf City Dental, it’s easy to schedule appointments that fit into your busy schedule. We’ll even send reminders in the days leading up to your exam.

 On the day of your exam, one of our hygienists will do a deep cleaning to remove the tartar and thoroughly polish your teeth for a fresh shine. One of our dentists will perform a thorough dental exam to identify potential issues as early as possible. These services are the building blocks of preventive dental care.

 

Cavity Treatment

A cavity is a small hole that develops in your tooth when acid produced by bacteria eats away at the minerals of your tooth.

At Surf City Dental, we will treat most cavities with a tooth filling. This means the dentist will numb your mouth and remove the decayed part of your tooth. Then, the dentist will clean, fill, and polish the tooth to make it look and feel as natural as your other teeth.

 

Toothache Solutions

Toothache can result from multiple causes including:

  • Tooth decay, cavities
  • Abscessed tooth
  • Damaged filling
  • Infected gums

 Common symptoms of toothache include:

  • Throbbing, sharp, or constant tooth pain
  • Fever
  • Headache
  • Drainage from infected tooth
  • Swelling around the tooth

If you are experiencing symptoms for longer than 1-2 days, especially accompanied by fever, a dental visit is advised. Our staff will make every effort to arrange a high-priority appointment.

 

Tooth Bonding

Tooth bonding treatments can help repair damage like chips, fractures, and discoloration caused by decay, as well as to close gaps between teeth. This in-office procedure can be performed in less than an hour.

Sensitivity Treatments

Tooth sensitivity, also known as dentin hypersensitivity, occurs when the enamel protecting your teeth gets thinner. Other potential causes of tooth sensitivity include:

  • Worn tooth enamel from aggressive brushing
  • Tooth erosion due to acidic foods and beverages
  • Gum recession that leaves root surface exposed

If you are experiencing tooth sensitivity, visit Surf City Dental for a proper evaluation.

 

Sealants

The teeth in the back of your mouth, called molars and premolars, may be very prone to accumulating bacteria and suffering decay. Sometimes, brushing and flossing is not enough.

Sealants are a thin, protective coating that adheres to the chewing surface of your back teeth to keep them clean (and hopefully keep bacteria from hiding in them).  For most people, the appropriate age to apply sealants is 11 to 13. A staff member at Surf City Dental may recommend sealants for protecting particularly at-risk teeth in older adults, as well.

 

Hygiene Recare

A dental hygienist performs this procedure, removing plaque and tartar from all tooth surfaces and below the gum line to prevent excessive plaque buildup. Hygiene Recare is recommended every six months, but your dentist may encourage more frequent visits, depending on your home care and oral hygiene needs.

 

Oral Cancer Screening

Oral cancer screening is an examination performed by a dentist to look for signs of cancer or precancerous conditions in your mouth. Surf City Dental is committed to integrating this screening at six-month intervals during your routine dental visit.