Preventive Dentistry
We all want to have a white and bright smile that is healthy, strong, and beautiful. Between dental injuries, disease, and genetic conditions, it can be difficult to keep teeth and gums in the best shape possible. Brushing and flossing are great ways to maintain a healthy mouth at home between appointments, but regular visits to the dentist can protect your teeth even more. Our practice can offer easy, quick, and effective preventive measures to help our patients stay ahead of their dental care. We believe that maintaining healthy teeth and gums can be a breeze with the right preventive dentistry team in your corner.
What is Preventive Dentistry?
Preventive dentistry includes many treatments and procedures that help encourage optimal dental health. Some common treatments that are the capstones of preventive dentistry are:
- Regular Dental Hygiene/Exams
- Sealants
- Fluoride
- Scaling and Root Planing
- Tooth Extractions
- Oral Cancer Screening
Many dental insurance companies understand that preventive dentistry is essential, and most plans typically cover these treatments as they are cost-effective and help to enhance good oral health.
Why Are Regular Exams Important?
Regular dental exams are crucial and are often the first line of defense to prevent disease. We will examine your teeth, gums, facial muscles, and soft tissues during a dental exam, looking for any signs of uneven wear or decay.
Sometimes, we might take X-Rays to get an inside look at your bone structure and integrity or image areas that are hard to see or reach. X-Rays are pivotal for oral cancer screening and for detecting concerning issues early. Most often, early diagnosis is the key to successful treatment.
What Can I Do To Protect My Teeth?
Luckily, some easy-to-apply treatments can help protect your teeth, even when you aren’t sitting in our office. Sealants, for example, are the perfect way to give your teeth an extra layer of protection.
During a sealant application, we apply a thin layer of resin to the tooth’s surface, where it receives the most wear and tear. In most cases, sealants are applied to the top, flat part of the tooth. The sealant works to fill in the tiny holes, chips, and cracks around the tooth’s surface that could otherwise collect debris and bacteria, leading to cavities or infection. The process of applying a sealant is quick and easy and is a great preventive measure.
Another popular option for simple preventive dental care is fluoride treatment. Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that can help make your teeth stronger. While some cities even put trace fluoride amounts into drinking water, sometimes your teeth require higher doses of fluoride to stay healthy and strong. At our office, we can apply a high-dose, targeted fluoride treatment in a matter of minutes to help give your teeth additional strength and integrity.