Our office can help maintain your oral health by focusing on preventive dentistry services. Learn more below.

Improve your smile today – call to schedule a consultation!

Preventive Treatments in Fort Collins, CO

Group of Laughing Adults | Dentist Fort Collins CO Keeping your body healthy contributes to your enjoyment of life and allows you to participate fully in your favorite activities. You probably take the time to take good care of your body, but you may not realize the tremendous impact that oral health has on your overall body wellness.

At Buxton Family Dental, we stay current with the latest news and advances in dentistry to ensure that you receive the highest standard of care. In recent years, numerous studies have been conducted that reveal a connection between the health of your mouth and your overall health. This research shows that chronic dental disease can contribute to heart disease, respiratory illness, pregnancy complications, and even some cancers.

Protect Your Family’s Oral Health

It’s great if you are already practicing conscientious oral hygiene, but your effort must be paired with semi-annual exams and cleanings to keep your smile healthy. Both work hand in hand to keep your smile healthy by staying a step ahead of cavities and gum disease.

Woman in dental chair | Ft. Collins Dentist During your exam, Dr. Buxton will check all your teeth and gums and note any changes since your last visit. If a problem has developed, he will talk to you about your options so you can make decisions about treatment that fits your needs. For your safety, every exam also includes an oral cancer screening.

No matter how well you brush, only a professional cleaning by one of our skilled hygienists can completely clear away the plaque and tartar that build up on your teeth and cause disease. We are proud of our hygienists who always receive glowing reviews from our patients about their gentle treatment!

Prevention for Children

Keeping your child current with routine exams and cleanings is just as important for them as it is for you, if not more so. We like to see kids starting at age one or when the first baby teeth appear. The sooner we start seeing your child, the better the chance that we can help them avoid dental issues as an adult.

As part of your child’s routine exam, we will check to see if they would benefit from a topical fluoride application. The city of Fort Collins fluoridates their water, but if your child drinks a lot of bottled water or juices, they may need supplemental fluoride to help protect and strengthen their teeth.

Another beneficial preventive treatment for kids is dental sealants. A sealant is a thin coating of plastic applied to the uneven surfaces of teeth like molars that are especially prone to cavities. The material seals out bacteria and food particles and minimizes the risk of decay.

Your Healthy Smile Starts Here!

Whether you are a dental superstar or you have gotten a little too relaxed with your dental care, please call Buxton Family Dental. We won’t ever lecture or shame you about the condition of your teeth because our concern is not where your oral health has been but where it’s going... starting today!

Frequently Asked Questions

What are dental sealants?

The transition from primary teeth ("baby teeth") to permanent teeth goes through several stages starting around age 6 or 7 and ending around age 12 or 13. What many people don't realize is that the permanent molars don't actually replace any primary teeth, but instead grow into the space behind all the primary molars. This first set of molars erupts around age six! The next set comes in around age 12. The final set of molars (wisdom teeth) appear in the later teen years. Compared to primary molars, the permanent molars typically have very deep grooves and fissures on the chewing surface of the teeth which readily attract food and bacteria. The teeth are also located far back in hard to reach areas for a growing mouth. Then throw in the fact that adolescents often struggle with adequate oral hygiene and you have a recipe for disaster! We typically recommend sealants for the first and second molars for all children to protect the teeth while they learn how to properly care for their teeth. Sealants are a protective coating painted on the tooth to seal off the cavity-prone grooves and fissures. We'll usually try to seal all four teeth in one appointment around age 6 and again around age 12.

To prepare the teeth for sealants the areas to be sealed are thoroughly cleaned and evaluated for existing decay. The sealant is then flowed into the grooves and hardened with our curing light. The appointment can be very simple and takes less than an hour. The most challenging aspect is keeping the tooth isolated and dry so the sealant can be placed adequately. This may require some extra patience for an energetic child, but overall it is a completely painless and simple procedure.

Sealants are not meant to last forever. Ideally they'll last through the teen years. At this point a person should be better able to care for their own teeth without the aid of sealants. If parts of a sealant are lost before this time they can be quickly repaired during a routine checkup.

Meet Our Doctor:

Kendell Buxton DDS
Dentist

Dr. Buxton is originally from a small town in Cache Valley of northern Utah. Cache Valley is home to Utah State University, where Dr. Buxton began his undergraduate studies in 1998. After completion of his coursework at USU, he moved to the Midwest, where he earned his dental degree at The Ohio State University College of Dentistry in 2008. Since that time, he has worked in several outstanding private practices in Ohio, New Mexico, and now Colorado.

Dr. Buxton chose Fort Collins as his final destination because of its many similarities ...