Preventative Care in Gambrills, MD
The best dental care starts before a problem ever shows up. At Auslander Dental, Dr. Bruce Auslander offers preventive care for patients of every age throughout Gambrills, Crofton, Odenton, and Bowie, from a child’s very first visit through routine care for adults and seniors. Preventive care includes regular exams and cleanings, digital x-rays, oral cancer screenings, fluoride treatment, dental sealants, and guidance on diet and home care, all working together to help you avoid bigger, more costly problems down the road.
Healthy teeth start early. Caring for baby teeth properly matters, since they allow a child to eat well, speak clearly, and guide the eruption of permanent teeth. That’s why consistent exams and preventive habits, at every age, are the foundation of everything we do.
What’s Included in Preventative Care?
| Service | What It Does |
|---|---|
| Bi-Annual Exams | Catches issues early before they become bigger problems (see our Dental Exams page for full details) |
| Digital X-Rays | Detects decay, bone loss, and other issues not visible to the eye |
| Oral Cancer Screenings | Checks for early warning signs during your regular visit |
| Fluoride Treatment | Strengthens enamel and helps prevent cavities |
| Dental Sealants | Protects back teeth from decay, especially helpful for kids (see our Tooth Sealants page) |
| Diet & Home Care Guidance | Helps you build habits that prevent problems between visits |
Schedule Your Preventative Care Visit
EXAMS
Dr. Auslander believes the best starting place for initiating a preventative program is with normalizing bi-annual exams. Regular exams help to maintain natural oral structure, while also discouraging the development, progress, and recurrence of a variety of dental issues. Throughout these exams, Dr. Auslander will incorporate a litany of preventative measures and comprehensive tests, with the goal of dodging unforeseen conditions down the road. These range from complete and partial x-rays to consistent oral cancer screenings.
Auslander Dental is confident in bringing a wide range of dental services to you. If your regular exam requires specialized care, we can typically provide every type of dental service without having to refer you to other specialists. This versatility saves you time and complications, while also allowing us to keep all your records in one location. Our emphasis is in total mouth care.
X-RAYS
Dr. Auslander relies partially on images of your teeth to evaluate and treat your oral health. Digital x-rays are the most advanced form of dental x-rays. Digital cameras use electronic sensors instead of film, meaning the photos do not need to be developed, but rather are instantly available. This means harmful chemicals and waste from the film are kept from the environment. The photographs can be viewed and enlarged for analysis of existing conditions and diagnosis of other concerns. In comparison with traditional x-ray methods, digital x-rays reduce radiation to the patient by 80-90%. Dr. Auslander provides apron shields for full and complete protection.
Digital x-rays have the ability to detect a variety of troubles, including abscesses, cysts, bone loss, tumors and decay between the teeth. They can also see beyond the naked eye, revealing developmental abnormalities and problems inside a tooth or below the gum line.
The frequency of digital x-rays is unique to the individual patient, though the patient’s age, current oral health, symptoms of oral disease and history of gum disease all play a role. At Auslander Dental, we typically perform a full series of digital x-rays for new patients and then repeat the process every 3 to 5 years. Digital x-rays save our patients money, time, pain, and even teeth.
Bite-wing x-rays (periphery views of the teeth meeting as the mouth closes) are conducted once or twice a year. Our office also has the capability for panoramic x-rays. These x-rays provide a wraparound image of a patient’s face and teeth. The x-ray machine rotates around the head, from ear to ear. This technology is specifically useful when looking for impacted wisdom teeth, fractures, gum disease, bone loss and discomfort caused by the sinus and nasal systems. Panoramic x-rays do not claim to provide a detailed view of each individual tooth, but rather an overall view of the patient’s oral health. Panoramic x-rays do not occur on a normalized schedule. They are completed on an as needed basis, especially when patients are in too much pain for a bitewing digital x-ray. The value of x-rays lie in the planning of future treatment, such as the feasibility of full or partial dentures, braces and implants.
ORAL CANCER SCREENINGS
Regular visits to your dentist can improve the chances that any suspicious changes in your oral health will be caught early. The most effective way to diagnose oral cancer in its earliest stages is for the dentist to perform a quick and efficient screening during a patient’s regular visit.
Cancerous regions can be found throughout the oral cavity. This includes your lips, cheek lining, gums, tongue, floor of the mouth connecting the tongue, and the hard palate at the roof of your mouth. The pharynx starts at the soft part of the roof of your mouth and continues back into your throat. During your dental visit, Dr. Auslander will talk to you about your health history and examine these areas for signs of mouth and/or throat cancer.
In addition, Dr. Auslander advises you to contact him if you see symptoms related to oral cancer. Patients should look for the following:
- Sore or irritation that doesn’t go away
- Red or white patches
- Painful lips
- Numbness in the mouth
- Change in the way your teeth fit together upon closing your mouth
- Lumps, crust, and small eroded areas
- Difficulty chewing, swallowing, speaking or moving your tongue or jaw
According to the American Dental Association, almost 42,000 Americans will be diagnosed with oral and throat cancers this year. Tobacco use, excessive alcohol consumption and exposure to HPV are all factors increasing risk. In fact, the risk is 15 times greater for those who drink alcohol and smoke. Early diagnosis can double a patient’s chances of survival from 40% to 80-90%. Make sure to visit our office to partake in your regular oral cancer screenings.
Fluoride Treatment
Fluoride helps strengthen tooth enamel and makes it more resistant to the acids that cause cavities. We recommend fluoride treatment for many of our younger patients, and it can benefit adults too, especially those who are more prone to decay or dealing with dry mouth. Treatment is quick, painless, and typically added right on to your regular cleaning visit.
Dental Sealants for Kids
Back teeth have deep grooves that are hard to keep clean, even with careful brushing, which makes them a common spot for cavities to start. Dental sealants are a thin, protective coating applied to these teeth to seal out food and bacteria before decay has a chance to start. Sealants are quick to apply, painless, and one of the most effective ways to protect your child’s molars. Learn more on our Tooth Sealants page.
Diet & Home Care Habits
Your teeth, bones, and soft tissue all rely on a healthy, well-balanced diet. Eating a variety of foods from each of the five food groups helps minimize, or even avoid, cavities and other dental problems, while sugary snacks and drinks between meals are one of the most common contributors to decay we see.
Good habits at home matter just as much as what happens in our office. We’ll work with you and your family on brushing and flossing techniques that actually stick, so healthy habits carry over long after your appointment ends.
Starting Your Child’s Dental Care Early
It’s normal for a first dental visit, for a child or a nervous adult, to come with some anxiety. We keep first visits relaxed and low-pressure, focused on building comfort and trust rather than rushing through a checklist. Healthy baby teeth matter more than many parents realize: they support good nutrition, help children speak clearly, and guide the eruption of permanent teeth later on. The earlier preventive habits start, the easier they are to keep.
Average Preventative Care Cost & Insurance in Gambrills, MD
Preventive care is often the most affordable category of dental treatment, and many insurance plans cover it in full or close to it. Based on typical regional and national averages, here’s what patients can generally expect:
| Service | Estimated Cost Range (without insurance) |
|---|---|
| Routine Cleaning & Exam | $150 – $350 |
| Digital X-Rays | $25 – $250 (depending on type) |
| Fluoride Treatment | $20 – $60 |
| Dental Sealants (per tooth) | $30 – $60 |
A first visit that combines a comprehensive exam, x-rays, and a cleaning typically totals somewhere between $150 and $450 for new patients. These are general estimates, not a quote, and your exact cost depends on which services you need and whether it’s a routine or first-time comprehensive visit.
We accept all PPO insurance plans, and most plans cover two preventive visits per year in full. Our team will help verify your benefits and walk you through your exact cost before your visit. Learn more on our Insurance & Payment page.
Why Choose Dr. Auslander for Your Family’s Preventative Care
- Serving Gambrills, Crofton, Odenton, and Bowie families for every age, from a child’s first visit through senior care
- A wide range of services available in-house, so specialist referrals are rarely needed
- Walk-ins welcome and same-day appointments available
- Accepts all PPO insurance plans, with most preventive visits covered in full or close to it
- Personalized, judgment-free care for patients starting fresh or returning after a gap
Scheduling Your Preventative Care Visit Is Simple
Ready to get your whole family on track with regular preventive care? Reach out by phone or request an appointment online, and our team will help find a time that works for you.
- Contact Us – Call 301-517-7335 or request an appointment online.
- Get Seen – Dr. Auslander and our team provide a thorough, relaxed exam and any needed preventive treatment.
- Stay on Track – We’ll help you set a simple schedule for ongoing preventive visits going forward.
Schedule Your Preventative Care Visit
Frequently Asked Questions About Preventative Care
What’s included in a preventative care visit?
Preventive care typically includes a regular exam, cleaning, digital x-rays as needed, an oral cancer screening, and for many patients, fluoride treatment or sealants.
When should my child start going to the dentist?
Most dentists, including our office, recommend a child’s first visit by their first birthday or within six months of their first tooth coming in, whichever comes first.
Is fluoride treatment necessary for adults?
It can be. While fluoride is especially common for children, adults prone to decay, dry mouth, or with certain health conditions can also benefit from fluoride treatment.
What are dental sealants, and does my child need them?
Sealants are a thin protective coating applied to the chewing surfaces of back teeth to help prevent cavities. They’re commonly recommended for children’s molars, though some adults benefit from them too.
Does insurance cover preventative dental care?
Most PPO insurance plans cover two preventive visits per year in full or close to it. We’ll help verify your specific benefits before your visit.
How often should I really be going to the dentist?
Most patients do well with a visit every six months, though some patients with higher risk factors may need more frequent visits, which Dr. Auslander will recommend based on your specific needs.
What if it’s been years since my family has been to the dentist?
That’s okay, and more common than you might think. We focus on where you are now and help you build a simple plan going forward, without judgment about the gap.