Family Dentistry

We are a caring, friendly team of dental professionals committed to providing a comfortable dental experience. Dr. Bianco's goal is to provide the best dental care possible for you and your family in a compassionate, caring environment. At Richard J Bianco D.M.D. we want to help you maintain your oral hygiene in a way that will keep your teeth and mouths healthy for a lifetime.

When Should My Child See a Dentist?

"First visit by first birthday" sums it up. Your child should visit a dentist when the first tooth comes in, usually between six and twelve months of age.  An early examination at Richard J Bianco DMD and preventive care will protect your child's smile now and in the future.

Preventing Dental Decay

Fluoride has been a great benefit to patients of all ages in helping prevent dental decay.  Regular brushing and flossing lowers the chance of developing "cavities." At Richard J Bianco D.M.D. we know that the most decay-prone areas of teeth are the grooves and depressions on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth, which require further preventive care.

To prevent decay, a plastic-like coating called a sealant should be painted on the chewing surfaces of all the back teeth. Studies have shown that sealants can reduce tooth decay by as much as 90% to 100% in the Monterey area and nation wide.

The American Dental Association recommends, and Dr. Bianco agrees, that sealants be placed as soon as the first adult back teeth come in at age 6 or 7.  Sealants should continue to be used as each adult back tooth comes into the mouth.  All back teeth that need to be sealed are present by age 13.  Sealant application is simple, fast, and painless.

Plaque Build Up

One of the easiest problems to spot is a build-up of plaque. Plaque is the soft, sticky layer of bacteria, which is constantly forming on the teeth. Usually it is invisible to the naked eye, but when a person is not brushing adequately, it can build up to where it appears to be a thick whitish coating on the teeth at the gum line.  If not removed, it can lead to gum disease. With professional regular cleaning, flossing and brushing twice daily we can maintain a healthy set of teeth for you to enjoy your entire life.

When Teeth Are Lost

Another potential problem, which is easy to spot, is missing teeth.  Many patients Dr. Bianco sees assume that if they are still able to eat, they are O.K. But very often, losing just one tooth can lead to the loss of support, and teeth begin to drift into the empty space, causing a change in the bite.  It also forces the remaining teeth to carry an additional load, sometimes past their ability to adapt.  In most cases, when even one tooth is lost, the remaining teeth suffer and are more likely to be lost as well. To keep all of your teeth healthy you will need to fill these gaps with procelain crowns or bridges. See our Cosmetic Dentistry page for more information on this.