Preventive Dentistry in Basalt, CO

Elevate Your Dental Hygiene 

Our goal at Elevate Dental Wellness is to help our patients achieve a beautiful and healthy smile that lasts a lifetime. That’s why our family dentists provide comprehensive preventive dentistry services which are to ensure the health of your natural smile.

Preventive measures like dental cleanings and dental exams are key factors in the overall health of your teeth. During your check-up, we’ll clean and examine your teeth, provide an oral cancer screening, and take x-rays if necessary. 

Thanks to our convenient Basalt, CO office, we proudly help Colorado patients in Wingo, Snowmass, El Jebel, Aspen, and the surrounding areas make the most out of their smiles. Dr. Steinbach and Dr. Van Gorden recommend scheduling a dental check-up once every six months as these visits can help prevent decay, catch dental problems before they occur, and even prevent tooth loss.

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Elevate Dental Wellness

711 East Valley Road
Suite 201A
Basalt, CO 81621

Get Directions

(970) 279-5647

Dental Cleanings

Even with impeccable daily brushing and flossing habits, it’s important to get a professional cleaning because some plaque and tartar cannot be removed without special dental instruments. Plaque is a sticky film made of bacteria, food debris, and saliva that forms on the teeth. The bacteria produce toxins that eat away at the teeth and inflame the gums. This can lead to a variety of escalated oral health problems including periodontal disease and cavities. Tartar (calculus) is a hardened plaque that has firmly attached to the surface of your teeth and can form above and below the gum line. 

During your dental cleaning, your hygienist will remove tartar and plaque from your teeth before polishing them to remove any stains that can’t be removed with standard brushing.

Dental Exams

In addition to professional cleaning, your expert dentist will conduct a thorough examination of your teeth. During the exam, we’ll check for any signs of tooth decay or any problems with existing restorations such as crowns, fillings, etc. We’ll look at the overall condition and appearance of your smile to see if there are any abnormalities or orthopedic issues. We’ll also look at the quality of your bite — making sure your teeth are coming together correctly and your jaw is in the anatomically correct position. 

From there, we will also take diagnostic x-rays, perform an oral cancer screening, and check for gum disease. 

Diagnostic X-rays 

Depending on your dental health, a diagnostic x-ray may be performed based on your age, risk of disease, and medical and dental history. We recommend full-mouth x-rays for new patients and bite-wing x-rays once or twice a year to detect any potential dental problems. 

X-rays can be an important part of your dental exams as they offer a way to detect problems before they worsen. They can help show developmental abnormalities as well as your tooth and root positions which can alert us of any needed extractions. They also help detect decay, tumors, cysts, and bone loss that may not be visible to the naked eye.

Oral Cancer Screening 

If you’re experiencing any unusual changes in your mouth, teeth, gums, throat, or tongue, it may be due to a larger issue. Diagnosing diseases of the mouth as early as possible is imperative, and routine oral cancer screenings can help catch issues early on. 

During your exam, your Basalt dentist will examine the inside and outside of your mouth for any signs of oral cancer including tumors, cysts as well as precancerous and cancerous lesions. If there’s anything out of the ordinary, depending on your specific situation, a biopsy may be required to do further testing.

Periodontal Care 

Gingivitis is an early stage of periodontal disease (gum disease) and can be distinguished by red, bloody, and swollen gums. If left untreated, it can escalate to infections, and inflammation of the gum line and surrounding tissues can lead to full periodontal disease and possibly the loss of teeth. 

During your exam, we will evaluate your gums and surrounding bones for any signs of periodontal disease.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I care for my teeth at home?
Do dental cleanings hurt?

How can I care for my teeth at home?

Having a regular home care routine can make all the difference in achieving a healthy smile. Brushing your teeth at least twice a day, especially after meals and before going to bed, can prevent the build-up of tartar and plaque. 

Dr. Steinbach and Dr. Van Gorden recommend using non-abrasive toothpaste with a soft-bristled or electric toothbrush to ensure you don’t damage your teeth. Flossing regularly helps keep your gum line clean which can prevent the buildup of plaque and protect your gums, teeth, and bones from damage.

Do dental cleanings hurt?

No. While dental cleanings may be a little uncomfortable, they should be painless. During the cleaning, if you feel any pain, let us know immediately as pain can be an indication of an underlying issue.

Visit Elevate Dental Wellness Today

We’re here to support your ultimate dental health and wellness. In combination with your dental habits, Dr. Steinbach and Dr. Van Gorden are here to work with you and offer additional care so your smile can be healthy inside and out. To learn more, contact our office by calling (970) 279-5647 or request an appointment by filling out our online contact form below. 

Here at Elevate Dental Wellness, we provide Colorado patients in Aspen, Wingo, Snowmass, El Jebel, and the surrounding areas with thorough cleanings and exams to ensure a prolonged healthy smile. Schedule your visit today!

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