Preventive Dentistry in Concord, NH
At White Park Dental, we place a strong focus and value on quality preventive care. We prefer to practice conservative dentistry when possible, and our patients share this preference. When you prevent dental problems from beginning in the first place, you can save time, discomfort, and money and keep a healthy, beautiful smile.
Professional, Gentle Cleanings
Your dental hygiene program is the foundation of your dental care. Most of our patients do a fantastic job of brushing and flossing, but unfortunately, this just isn’t enough.
Even the most dedicated brusher and flosser is going to miss some areas of their teeth – particularly the spots in between the teeth and just beneath the gum line. Bacteria will take advantage of this, and make a home in the plaque that tends to build up in these areas. Over time, the plaque calcifies into tartar, and at this point, can no longer be removed with home tools.
We gently and thoroughly assess your teeth and remove all the traces of plaque and tartar that your toothbrush and floss miss, ridding your mouth of these trouble-causing bacteria so that you can have a fresh start every six months.
Comprehensive Deep Cleanings
Periodontal disease is a major problem in the U.S. The CDC estimates that approximately half of all U.S. adults have gum disease in some form or another. Gum disease is the number one cause of lost teeth in American adults, and scientists have also linked it to several concerning health conditions, including heart disease and diabetes.
Deep cleanings, using a technique known as scaling and root planing, help to eliminate the bacteria that cause periodontal disease to stop the disease progression. If you have periodontal disease, our dentists will work with you to create a customized treatment plan designed to meet your individual needs.
Sealants for Cavity Protection
Back teeth are a common place for cavities to develop, mainly because of the deep grooves that are difficult to reach with a toothbrush. If you (or your child) are at risk for cavities in this area, we may recommend sealants.
Sealants coat the area with a thin resin-like material, filling in the grooves and taking away the opportunity for bacteria to accumulate. They are an easy, non-invasive way to prevent decay.
Protective Sports Guards
Many of our patients enjoy participating in sports, but sports are a common cause of dental injuries. We’re betting that you probably know someone who once caught a fly ball with their mouth instead of their glove!
Sport guards can protect your teeth in the case of injury, and we recommend them for people who play any sport that involves bodily contact or speeding balls and pucks, including football, soccer, baseball, hockey, and lacrosse. At White Park Dental, we’ll fit you with a customized sports guard that fits your mouth perfectly.
Call Our Concord, NH Office to Schedule Your Appointment
Is it time for your next check-up or cleaning? Even if you’re overdue, that’s okay. We are never judgmental and we won’t make you feel guilty – we’ll just create a plan to help you get back on track.
Call today to request an appointment time.
Patient here for over 20 years
"I've been a patient here for over 20 years. I would recommend it to anyone. I have actually referred a few of my coworkers who have also been very happy with the friendly and efficient service. Thank you!"
-Michelle Mckinnon
Frequently Asked Questions
Regular cleanings are the backbone of preventive dental care, and our philosophy here at White Park Dental is to prevent problems before they start whenever possible.
Even the most dedicated brushers and flossers are occasionally going to miss a spot. Teeth aren’t uniform, and there are all sorts of places for plaque and bacteria to hide. It’s not realistic to expect to get the same kind of results from a two-minute brushing routine as you would get from an hour with a skilled professional using specialized instruments.
We take special care to remove every trace of plaque and tartar during your cleaning so that you can have a fresh start every six months. We understand if you haven’t made time recently to get a cleaning and you’re overdue. Don’t feel embarrassed! Just give us a call and we’ll help you get back on track.
Spotting Problems
Cleanings are also a great time to touch base with your hygienist and ask questions about improving your hygiene. Our hygienists are smart and are an excellent resource. They are also highly skilled at spotting the signs of potential problems, so your cleaning is also a chance for us to identify a problem while it’s still in its early stages so that we can recommend an appropriate treatment. Contact our office to schedule your appointment.
Sealants are a conservative and non-invasive preventive treatment that can protect your back teeth from cavities. They are particularly effective for children who often don’t have the coordination or the patience to brush their back teeth properly, but they can also be used in adults who have deep grooves in their teeth or are at a higher risk for cavities for other reasons.
Cavity Prevention
The sealants are brushed on as a flowable material and then light-cured. The sealants coat and “seal off” the grooves in the back teeth, preventing the bacteria that cause cavities from accessing the area. They provide a smooth, flat surface to make removal of plaque and bacteria easier. The entire process takes minutes, and the only side effect is a bad taste in your mouth that goes away as soon as you rinse. You can eat and drink just minutes after having the sealants placed and they last for years at a time.
At each check-up, we’ll check the condition of your sealants to make sure that they are still in place.
The best way to determine whether sealants are a good choice for you or your child is to schedule an appointment at our Concord dental office. Dr. Bogacz or Dr. Harvey will examine your teeth and discuss both your own history and your family’s dental history with you to see if you can benefit.
When you see our hygienist, their number one goal is to provide you the best service they can to achieve oral health. The type of care they provide is specific to your individual diagnosis or dental condition. A “cleaning” is a prophylaxis in which bacteria, plaque and tartar/calculus above the gumline is removed in a preventative manner. Some patients require active therapy of their gums due to the presence of gum inflammation and/or periodontal disease. This is detected by taking measurements and assessing dental radiographs to detect bone loss. In order to prevent further bone loss, mobility of teeth and potential loss of teeth, the teeth need to be “cleaned” below the gumline on root surfaces to remove harmful toxins and bacteria. Superficial, preventative scaling and polishing would not be appropriate for you, as an individual, in this scenario. We will work with you to provide the best therapy in our office and at home so that you may enjoy your teeth for years to come. Please call to schedule your next appointment.
Your children’s primary or “baby” teeth are just as important as their permanent or “adult” teeth. They allow your child to chew and speak properly in addition to holding space in their jaw for their permanent teeth. As soon as the first tooth erupts they are at risk for a cavity. We would be happy to have a wellness visit with you and your child at any time to discuss daily brushing and nutrition to lower their risk.
What to Expect
The ADA and AAP ideally recommend a dental visit by your child’s first birthday. We can get them more comfortable with sitting in the dental chair, testing out “Mr. Thirsty” and polishing with our special toothbrush. Routine preventative care at a young age will set your child up for dental health success into the future. Please contact us to schedule today!
Healthy gum tissue is firm and pink. Seeing bleeding of the gums when your brush and/or floss can indicate that you have some form of gum (periodontal) disease. Please call us to schedule a consult so we can recommend the proper treatment for you in order to decrease your risk for future tooth loss and/or other health concerns.
Meet Our Doctor:
Kristen E. Harvey DDS, MAGD
Dr. Kristen E. Harvey graduated magna cum laude from the University of Maryland School of Dentistry in 2010. She was recognized for academic excellence and leadership by being inducted into Omicron Kappa Upsilon and was awarded the Maryland Academy of General Dentistry Award for High Proficiency in Clinical Care and Patient Management.
Prior to dental school, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology at The Pennsylvania State University. In the following year, she was a research fellow at the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research in Bethesda, Maryland.
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Preventive Dentistry Technology
Panoramic/Cone Beam Computed Tomography
A panoramic radiograph captures a quick, low-radiation, two dimensional image of the upper and lower jaw from ear to ear. This full-mouth image provides important diagnostic information including position of primary and permanent teeth, jaw and tooth lesions, bone defects and impacted wisdom teeth.
A CBCT radiograph captures a select region of the mouth in 3-D to identify pathology or treatment plan implant placement for missing teeth. This technology allows the dentist to surgically place a tooth-replacement implant strategically to idealize the final crown for cosmetics and function.