PREVENTIVE DENTAL CARE
WHY IS PREVENTIVE DENTAL CARE IMPORTANT?
Preventive dentistry is your foundation for a healthy smile. With regular cleanings and exams at our office, small dental issues can be caught before they turn into large and costly problems. Preventive dental care along with a diligent at-home brushing and flossing routine can help prevent dental issues all together. It’s these small investments in your oral hygiene that lead to a beautiful, healthy smile.
DID YOU KNOW…
Dental plaque is made up of more than 300 different types of bacteria.
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What to expect at your preventive dental care appointment
THOROUGH CLEANING
Every dental appointment begins with a thorough cleaning from your dentist or dental hygienist. They will clean away plaque, tartar and bacteria, buff and polish your teeth, and floss your teeth to ensure that your smile looks bright and beautiful.
NECESSARY X-RAYS
If you haven’t had x-rays recently, or if your dentist suspects that there may be hidden issues with your teeth, they may recommend that x-rays be taken. These images help our dental team see potential issues hiding below the germline and within teeth.
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM
After your teeth are cleaned and x-rays have been taken, your dentist will examine your teeth, gums, and mouth for any signs of oral health issues, like cavities, gum disease, and abnormalities of the tissues. X-rays will also be examined to ensure that every potential issue has been detected.
TREATMENT PLAN
During your exam, your dentist will discuss with you the state of your oral health and any potential problems that they see. At this time, a treatment plan is developed. Your doctor will provide you with recommendations to resolve the issues and discuss the best treatment options for your lifestyle and budget.
SCHEDULE FOLLOW UP APPOINTMENT
If you need a follow-up appointment for a simple filling, more complex restorative work, or a cosmetic treatment, we can schedule your next appointment before you leave our office. We also recommend that you schedule your next cleaning in 6 months to ensure your smile stays bright and beautiful.
PREVENTIVE TREATMENT OPTIONS
Cleaning & Hygiene
Teeth cleanings are essential for maintaining a healthy mouth. Seeing an oral hygienist and a dentist every six months ensures that minor stains, plaque, and bacteria can be removed from your teeth, and that your smile remains healthy and strong.
Good at-home oral hygiene is also important. Make sure you brush at least twice a day for two minutes using fluoride-based toothpaste, and floss once per day to get rid of food particles, plaque, and bacteria that can’t be removed with brushing alone.
Dental Sealants
Dental sealants are a great way to fight back against cavities, and can be used on patients of all ages. Sealants are made up of a layer of liquid dental resin, which your dentist will apply directly to the rear teeth. Usually, sealants are only used on the rear teeth because their deep crevices are more prone to cavities.
This resin is hardened using a UV light, creating a strong, transparent barrier. This blocks food debris, acid, and bacteria from contact with your enamel. A strong dental sealant can prevent the formation of cavities for up to 10 years.
Fluoride Treatments
Fluoride treatments can be applied to the teeth after any teeth cleaning. Your dentist will apply a layer of fluoride-rich gel or paste directly to your teeth, and leave it in place for several minutes. Then, it will be rinsed away.
After treatment in our dental office, the fluoride will attract minerals like calcium and phosphates to your teeth, strengthening and “demineralizing” them. This, in turn, helps prevent the formation of cavities.
Periodontal Care
Periodontal care is an essential part of preventive dentistry for patients who have gum disease. The first stage of gum disease is known as “gingivitis,” and it can be reversed with specialized deep cleanings and proper at-home oral hygiene. It’s important to see your dentist for regular checkups so they can monitor your oral health and ensure gingivitis is at bay.
Patients with more advanced cases of gum disease can never fully eradicate the disease, although it can be maintained with more frequent, deep cleanings. Routine periodontal maintenance cleanings are typically scheduled every 3 months and can halt the progression of the disease, keeping their oral health under control.
Oral Cancer Screenings
Oral cancer screenings are an essential part of preventive care. Oral cancer is often hard to detect until it spreads more widely and becomes more serious. However, your dentist can detect signs early simply by performing an oral exam at your biannual dental appointments.
Your dentist will examine your mouth, gums, and oral tissues. They will look for discolored patches, lumps, growths, and other such abnormalities. In the rare case that an issue is found, a biopsy can be taken and sent to a specialist for further analysis, or your dentist will refer you to a specialist directly. Consistent dental visits allow your dentist to become familiar with your oral health, which in turn, allows them to more easily notice when there may be something wrong.