Luna Dental is a McAllen based family dentist practice that treats patients of all ages. We are committed to delivering the highest quality dental care and do so using advanced dental equipment. We are a cosmetic dentist that offers services like checkups, teeth cleaning, crowns, veneers and more.
Dr. Soto was born and raised in Miami, Florida. He is half-Cuban half Venezuelan and is fluent in both English and Spanish. After high school, he decided to leave Florida and continue his education at Tufts University in Boston, Massachusetts. He was then accepted to the University of Southern California where he received his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree. The love for the anatomical sciences was something that kept Dr. Soto motivated throughout his years in school. This love, together with his natural ability to make people smile is what convinced Dr. Soto that dentistry was the career for him. He is now residing in McAllen, TX where he plans to use his skills and ability to continue to help people around him smile with confidence.
Originating from Los Angeles, Dr. Moon attended the University of Southern California to pursue his passion in dentistry. Since then, he relocated to Texas in order to utilize his skills in order to better serve the communities of the Rio Grande Valley. His love for people and understanding of oral health motivates him to continue to serve his community while continuously striving.
At some point during the checkup, they will also be given guidance on home care. This allows them to keep their smile in the best shape possible between checkups. Scheduling your checkup is as easy as calling our Luna Dental team in McAllen at (956) 243-8765.
During the dental cleaning, the dental professional will remove the plaque a buildup of bacteria that deposits onto the teeth. To do this, the dental professional will scrape the teeth above and below the gum line with special tools. The teeth may be rinsed periodically during this process. Then, the dental professional will floss between the teeth. If the patient does not floss regularly, they may find this to be a little uncomfortable; but if they include flossing as part of their daily oral care practice, this discomfort will go away over time.
At the end of the dental cleaning, the dental professional will polish the teeth. This polishing helps protect the teeth against the buildup of plaque so they stay shiny and smoother longer. The polish is applied with a spinning brush and a paste. This paste resembles toothpaste but is slightly coarse so it can better eliminate any residue that might have been missed. When the dental professional is done cleaning the teeth, the patient may be asked to rinse and gargle with mouthwash.
The dentist will speak to the patient about their dental history. They may ask the patient about medications and illnesses, or whether they have any allergies, concerns, or anxieties. Always be honest with our dental team so they can provide the best care possible.
The dental professional will check the teeth for any signs of concern by using a small mirror to look around the mouth. During this examination, they will be looking for swelling, sores, cuts or lesions, gum recession, and tooth decay. One of the most important things they will look for is spaces between the gums and teeth called dental pockets. Dental pockets pose a risk to health and may indicate gum disease. The dental professional may recommend home care and monitoring to protect the smile.
New patients and those who have not had them done in a while will be asked to have dental X-rays taken of their mouth at their dental checkup. These X-rays are important because they allow dentists to check the roots beneath the gum line, which are otherwise inaccessible. For the X-rays, the patient will bite down on a piece of plastic that is placed between their teeth. A machine will be placed near their cheek to take the image. Their dentist will then review the image to check for any dental concerns.
Keeping oral health on track starts at home. To prevent oral health issues between dental checkups, our dental team may make several recommendations for at-home oral care. These oral hygiene techniques may include:
A. During a dental cleaning, a dental professional will use specialized dental tools to clean the teeth. These tools include a scraping tool that looks like a small metal hook to remove buildup from the surface of the teeth and an electric toothbrush with coarse toothpaste to clean and shine the teeth. Together with a dental mouthwash, a dental cleaning will remove buildup from the teeth and protect them from bacteria.
A. A dental exam is very similar to a dental checkup. Just like a checkup, a dental professional checks the teeth for any sign of concern and cleans the teeth. The difference is that with a dental exam, the dental professional will also check other areas that may be affected by oral health, like the head and neck. This exam is usually only recommended for new patients.
A. A dental X-ray is like other X-rays, but this one looks specifically at the mouth. More specifically, this X-ray looks at the roots and areas beneath the gum line where the dental professional otherwise would not be able to see. Dental X-rays are important for checking for signs of disease or other oral health concerns around the roots of the teeth.
A. Bacteria naturally attach to the surface of the teeth as they are used to eat. While at-home oral care can help to remove much of this bacteria, it is next to impossible to remove all of it without professional dental tools. Waiting too long between dental checkups gives these bacteria time to settle onto the teeth and turn into plaque and tartar. If this buildup is not removed, it could lead to tooth decay or disease over time and create further oral health concerns.
A. Recommended at-home dental care includes brushing twice a day and flossing at least once a day. Also, dental care professionals suggest patients use a mouthwash that includes fluoride. Patients may be advised to avoid smoking, eating sugary foods, and other activities that are known to be harmful to oral health.
By visiting us as soon as possible, our team can help get you the professional treatment you need. Instead of waiting around and allowing the symptoms to get worse, we can provide you with treatment options.
Following through with dental checkups is how patients can ensure that their smile stays healthy and free of decay or disease. Our dental team is here to help. To schedule a dental checkup or for help with your dental questions, please call our team at 956-243-8765.
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