Preventive Dentistry in Asheville, NC
Years in Asheville
We file your out-of-network claims
Most dental problems start small and quiet. A soft spot in the enamel, a little bleeding along the gumline, or a filling that is starting to wear rarely hurts, and by the time it does, the fix is usually bigger and more expensive. Preventive dentistry is about finding those changes early, while they are still simple to treat.
At Travis J. Calhoun, DDS, preventive care is the foundation of the family dentistry we have provided across western North Carolina since 1995, for patients from young children to seniors. Dr. Calhoun takes a whole-person view of oral health, paying close attention to how your teeth and gums connect to your overall well-being. Every visit starts with listening to what you have noticed, and we explain what we find in plain language.
What Preventive Dentistry Includes
A preventive visit is more than a quick polish. Depending on your age and risk, your care may include the following services.
- Exams and cleanings: dental exams and teeth cleanings remove tartar and check every tooth, filling, and crown.
- Fluoride treatments: professional fluoride strengthens enamel and helps it resist decay.
- Dental sealants: sealants protect the deep grooves of back teeth, where cavities often start.
- Oral cancer screenings: a quick oral cancer screening checks the tongue, cheeks, and throat for early warning signs.
- Periodontal care: our hygienists measure your gums and provide gum disease treatment when needed.
- Mouthguards: custom mouthguards protect teeth during sports and from nighttime grinding.
Together, these visits give us a clear picture of your oral health and a chance to stop small problems before they grow. If we find something that needs attention, we explain your options and let you decide the next step.
How Often Should You See the Dentist?
Many patients do well with an exam and dental cleaning every six months. If you have a history of gum disease, frequent cavities, diabetes, or other risk factors, we may recommend visits every three or four months instead. Your schedule is based on what we see in your mouth, not on a one-size-fits-all rule. Children usually follow the same six-month rhythm, which helps us catch cavities in new teeth early.
Digital X-Rays and Intraoral Scanning
Digital X-rays let us spot decay between teeth, infections at the root, and bone changes that a visual exam cannot catch, and they use less radiation than traditional film. Our Trios digital scanner captures a detailed 3D image of your teeth without goopy impression trays, which makes it easier to track wear over time and plan any treatment you may need.
Periodontal Care From Our Hygiene Team
Gum health is one of the areas we take most seriously. Two experienced hygienists measure the pockets around your teeth at each visit, and because our team is small, you usually see the same hygienist who knows your history. Research continues to link gum disease with conditions like diabetes, which is why we watch your gums as closely as your teeth.
Why Staying Ahead Matters
Prevention works, and the numbers back it up. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, dental sealants prevent about 80% of cavities in back teeth over two years, and those back teeth are where 9 out of 10 cavities occur. Simple steps like these keep many patients from needing anything more than a checkup. Fluoride, regular cleanings, and early treatment of small cavities work the same way.
Skipping visits, on the other hand, can turn a small cavity into a root canal or let early gum disease progress to bone loss. As a fee-for-service practice, we file claims on your behalf so you can use your out-of-network benefits for routine care, and we offer CareCredit and Cherry financing for treatment beyond your preventive visits.
Preventive Care at Every Age
Children benefit most from fluoride, sealants, and early habits that make dental visits feel routine. Adults often need a closer look at gum health, worn enamel, and grinding, while older patients may face dry mouth from medications, decay along exposed roots, and a higher risk of oral cancer. We adjust each visit to fit where you are in life.
What you do at home matters just as much. Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, clean between your teeth daily, limit sugary snacks and sipping on sweet or acidic drinks, and avoid tobacco. These habits, paired with regular checkups, give your smile the best chance to stay healthy for decades.
Preventive Dentistry FAQs
Schedule Your Preventive Visit With Travis J. Calhoun, DDS
Dr. Travis Calhoun is an Asheville native who trained at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Dentistry and has cared for patients in this community for more than 30 years. He completes around 30 hours of continuing education each year, and our relaxed, unhurried office makes it easy for new patients and longtime families alike to stay on track.
If it has been a while since your last checkup, we will make getting back on schedule easy and judgment-free. Contact our office to book your exam and cleaning, and we will help you keep your smile healthy for years to come.
Questions about payments and financing options? Give us a call at (828) 277-2722.
Meet Dr. Travis Calhoun, DDS
Dr. Travis Calhoun has been treating patients throughout Asheville and western North Carolina for over 30 years. A born-and-raised Asheville native, he studied at the University of Georgia before completing his dental training at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, and has run a fee-for-service family practice here ever since. Patients trust his unhurried, detail-oriented approach to every treatment plan.
"It is my mission to treat everybody like they were my mom. I want to keep my skills at the absolute highest level so I can deliver the best dental care available, in a relaxed, laid-back atmosphere."