Preventative Dentistry in Roscoe Village with Dr. Delgado Rodriguez

Whether you're heading to brunch on Damen or walking to your favorite Roscoe Village shop, a healthy smile goes a long way toward helping you feel your best. Preventative dentistry plays a major role in fueling good health and confidence. Regular cleanings, exams and protective treatments stop small issues before they become bigger problems and help keep your oral health on track year-round.

At Aspen Dental in Roscoe Village, Dr. Roxanna Delgado Rodriguez and her team make these visits easy, welcoming and accessible. Most insurance plans cover preventative care at 100 percent, so your regular checkups are within reach.

What is preventative dentistry?

Preventative dentistry is proactive care that stops oral health problems before they develop. Instead of waiting for tooth pain or visible damage, preventative care uses professional cleanings, comprehensive exams and protective treatments to keep your teeth and gums healthy.

For the Roscoe Village community, preventative dentistry at Aspen Dental includes professional cleanings to remove hardened tartar, thorough exams to detect early cavities and gum disease, digital X-rays to reveal problems beneath the surface, and protective treatments like fluoride and sealants. Dr. Roxanna Delgado Rodriguez and the care team customize each preventative visit based on your individual risk factors.

Essential preventative services

• Professional teeth cleanings every 6 months removing plaque and tartar

• Comprehensive oral exams that check your teeth, gums and soft tissues

• Digital X-rays that reveal hidden cavities and bone loss

• Fluoride treatments to strengthen your tooth enamel

• Dental sealants which help protect chewing surfaces

• Oral cancer screenings during your routine visits

Why does preventative care matter for your health?

Preventative dentistry protects much more than your smile. Did you know that your mouth is closely connected to your overall health, and bacteria from untreated oral infections can affect your entire body? Regular professional cleanings can reduce inflammation throughout your body, not just in your mouth.

Preventative visits also catch serious conditions early when treatment is most successful. Early detection of gum disease allows for treatment before bone loss occurs. Oral cancer screenings can detect abnormal tissue changes, which often precede more serious symptoms.

Healthy teeth and gums support your quality of life. They help you eat nutritious foods comfortably, speak clearly, smile with confidence and avoid pain that disrupts sleep and daily routines. Preventative dental care helps preserve these important functions and supports the active, connected Chicago lifestyle you enjoy.

What services are available in Roscoe Village?

Dr. Roxanna Delgado Rodriguez and your Aspen Dental care team provide comprehensive preventative services designed to meet your needs.

Professional teeth cleaning

Your hygienist uses specialized instruments to remove hardened tartar from all tooth surfaces, including areas below the gum line. Even with good brushing and flossing, plaque can harden into tartar within 24 to 72 hours, and only professional tools can remove it.

Cleaning may include ultrasonic scaling to break up larger deposits, hand scaling for precision, polishing to remove surface stains and smooth enamel, as well as flossing between teeth.

Comprehensive oral examination

Each tooth is checked individually for cavities, cracks, wear, failing restorations and alignment issues. The exam also includes your gums, tongue, cheeks and throat. A gum health assessment measures pocket depths around each tooth. Healthy pockets are 1 to 3mm. Readings of 4mm or more may indicate gum disease.

Digital x-ray imaging

Digital radiographs show issues that cannot be seen during a visual exam. X-rays reveal cavities between teeth, bone loss, infections and impacted teeth. Digital imaging provides clear results while using less radiation than traditional films.

Fluoride treatments

Professional fluoride applications strengthen tooth enamel and can reverse very early cavities. Plus, the concentrated fluoride treatment continues to protect your teeth for several months and takes only a few minutes to apply.

Dental sealants

Sealants are thin coatings placed in deep grooves on back teeth, creating a smooth barrier preventing food and bacteria from getting trapped. While commonly recommended for children, adults with cavity-prone teeth can benefit as well. Sealants usually last 5 to 10 years.

Oral cancer screening

Every preventative exam includes screening for oral cancer. They'll check your tongue, throat, cheeks, roof and floor of mouth for unusual patches, sores or lumps. This helpful screening only takes 2 to 3 minutes.

How often should you schedule preventative visits?

Most adults need professional cleanings and exams every 6 months to keep teeth and gums healthy. This twice-yearly schedule allows your dental care team to track changes and address small issues early.

You may need cleanings every 3 to 4 months if you have:

• Active gum disease with pocket depths of 4mm or greater

• A history of frequent cavities

• Diabetes, which can increase infection risk

• Dry mouth from medications

• Tobacco use

Dr. Roxanna Delgado Rodriguez recommends a personalized schedule based on your oral health status.

Life can get busy in Roscoe Village. Your local Aspen Dental office offers evening appointments and Saturday hours to make scheduling easier. Many patients book their next visit before they leave the office, so preventative care stays a regular part of their health routine.

What happens during your preventative visit?

Understanding the step-by-step process can help reduce anxiety. Here's what happens during a typical visit.

Health history review: Your hygienist checks for changes since your last visit. It’s important they know about any new medications, health conditions or symptoms that may influence your oral health and treatment approach.

Professional cleaning: Your hygienist uses scaling instruments to remove tartar from all tooth surfaces and below the gum line. You’ll feel scraping, but shouldn’t feel discomfort. After any tartar is removed your teeth will be polished, leaving them clean and smooth.

Fluoride application: For patients who benefit from a boost of extra protection, your hygienist will apply a fluoride treatment to your teeth.

Comprehensive examination: Your provider will check each tooth, review gum health and screens for oral cancer by examining your tongue, throat and cheeks.

X-ray imaging: Digital X-rays are typically taken once per year for low-risk patients. The sensors capture images in seconds.

Treatment discussion: Your dental care team will explain their findings and, if needed, will walk you through any care recommendations, as well as provide cost estimates. If everything looks healthy, you'll schedule your next visit.

Total appointment time: 45 to 60 minutes for routine preventative care.

Insurance and Payment options for preventative care

Most dental insurance plans cover preventative visits at 100% with no copay or deductible. This typically includes two cleanings and two exams per year, plus annual X-rays.

Your Aspen Dental care team works with most PPO insurance plans and verifies your coverage before your appointment.

Medicaid is not accepted at Aspen Dental offices. However, multiple payment options make preventative care accessible.

The Aspen Dental Savings Plan^® provides an alternative for patients without insurance, offering discounts on preventative services for an annual membership fee.

Financing through third-party lenders and about 99% of patients who apply are approved. Flexible payment plans allow you to spread costs over time. The financial team will explain the available options during your visit.

Transparent pricing means no surprises. You receive clear cost estimates showing exactly what your insurance covers and what you'll pay.

Many Roscoe Village families find that consistent preventative care lowers their total dental expenses over time. Regular cleanings and early treatment of minor issues cost substantially less than addressing advanced decay or severe gum disease later.

When should you schedule your preventative appointment?

Schedule a preventative visit now if it's been 6 months or longer since your last professional cleaning. Even when teeth feel fine, tartar can build up in areas you cannot see or reach with your toothbrush.

Contact the Roscoe Village office between regular appointments if you notice:

• Bleeding gums when brushing or flossing

• Persistent bad breath despite good oral hygiene

• New tooth sensitivity to hot, cold or sweet foods

• Visible changes to tooth color, chips or cracks

• Swelling or pain in your mouth or cheeks

Please do not wait for pain to occur. Tooth pain often means decay has reached the inner nerve, which will require treatment beyond a simple filling. Gum disease rarely causes discomfort even in moderate stages.

If you're new to Roscoe Village, or looking for a provider, establishing care with Dr. Roxanna Delgado Rodriguez gives you a trusted partner who understands your oral health history. New patient visits include a full exam, professional cleaning and diagnostic X-rays.

The scheduling process takes less than 5 minutes. Call the office directly or use online booking. Same-day emergency appointments are available when urgent issues arise.

Prevention tips between visits

Your daily habits play a major role in your oral health. Professional preventative care visits provide the foundation, but what you do at home during the other 363 days matters just as much.

Brush your teeth twice daily for a full 2 minutes with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Hold your brush at a 45-degree angle to your gum line and use gentle circular motions. Replace your toothbrush every 3 months or sooner if bristles become frayed.

Floss once a day, preferably before bed, to clean areas between your teeth and below the gum line where toothbrushes cannot reach. If traditional string floss feels awkward, try floss picks, interdental brushes or water flossers.

Your diet affects oral health. Bacteria in your mouth feed on sugars and starches, producing acid that attacks tooth enamel. Limit sugary snacks and drinks, especially between meals. When you do enjoy treats, brush shortly afterward or rinse your mouth with water.

Foods that support your oral health:

• Crunchy vegetables, such as celery and carrots, that stimulate saliva

• Cheese and dairy products which provide calcium

• Nuts that contain minerals which can strengthen tooth enamel

• Water throughout the day to wash away any food particles

If you smoke or use tobacco products, quitting is one of the best steps you can take for your oral health. Tobacco use increases gum disease and oral cancer risks, as well as slows healing. Your Aspen Dental care team can share helpful smoking cessation resources.

Your partner for preventative care in Roscoe Village

Preventative dentistry protects your smile, catches small issues early and supports whole-body health. Whether you are due for cleaning, have questions about your oral health or want to establish care with a provider who knows the Roscoe Village community, Dr. Roxanna Delgado Rodriguez and the team at Aspen Dental are ready to help.

Flexible scheduling makes preventative care fit your busy life. Evening appointments, occasional Saturday hours and same-day emergency availability mean you do not have to choose between work commitments and oral health. Most insurance plans cover preventative visits at 100%.

Schedule an appointment today by calling the Roscoe Village office or booking online at aspendental.com. Take the simple step that protects your smile for years to come.