Proactive Dentistry

What is Proactive Dentistry?

Proactive Dentistry is taking additional steps beyond simple preventative measures like brushing, flossing, fluoride, and sealants.  By combining old school “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” philosophy with state-of-the-art diagnostic tools Dr. Van Slooten or Dr. Mahgoub can identify your current risk levels for cavities, gum disease, sleep apnea, and TMJ dysfunction. Proactive measures can then be taken to lower these risk levels so cavities and gum disease are things you will not need to worry about.  

What are Proactive Dentistry Services?

The Dental Health Center of Northern Virginia invested in cutting edge technology to provide the highest quality of dental health services available.  Bacteriological screenings can detect the volume of cavity causing bacteria that exist in your oral microbiome.  This provides invaluable information to help design specific prevention programs customized just for you.  Have you ever wondered why you keep getting cavities even after brushing twice a day and flossing?  “The problem may not be your habits at all!  Patients who have a high volume of cavity causing bacteria have a higher risk factor which requires a different prevention program.  It could be diet, bacterial load, PH imbalance, hygiene, salivary flow, or other factors, but in every case there is a reason why you get cavities that goes well beyond simply brushing and flossing and there are easy steps that can be taken to negate those risks.”

What about Gum Disease?

Dr. Van Slooten and Dr. Mahgoub have unique training in advanced periodontal disease detection. The Dental Health Center of Northern Virginia provides instantaneous periodontal disease diagnoses.   “Using advanced phase-contrast microscopy we are capable of identifying the current condition of your gingival health and oral microbiome.  Do you have periodontal disease? Are you at risk for acquiring it?  Is your immune system responding properly?  Have you had deep cleanings more than once and don’t understand why? Do you have the bacteria in your mouth that are linked to heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, erectile dysfunction, and pre-term low infant birth weight? All these questions answered immediately with a painless swab where you can view the results while in the office.”  

How Expensive are Proactive Dentistry Services?

“I have made sure that the best technology and services are available at the Dental Health Center of Northern Virginia.  Our Caries Risk Detection, Microscopic Health Screenings, and 3D TMJ/Sleep Apnea imaging are all done at no cost to you.  The problem is that our services and technology are well ahead of what insurance companies are even aware of and therefore are not covered and typically not offered anywhere else.  It is my belief that insurance companies should not prevent you from obtaining the highest quality of care and no patient should ever be charged for being proactive about their health.”