Preventative Care

Preventive dentistry emphasizes the importance of ongoing hygiene procedures and daily practices to prevent tooth decay and other dental diseases and conditions. Effective preventive dentistry combines at-home oral care by patients with chairside treatments and counseling by dental professionals.

For example, the American Dental Association (ADA) recommends a minimum of two dental checkups each year for professional cleaning and management of any developing conditions. Adhering to this recommendation can help your dentist stop dental disease in its earliest stages, protecting your smile and limiting your expense.

Early Prevention

At-home oral hygiene. The most important prevention technique is brushing and flossing at least twice a day (or after every meal) to remove dental plaque, a film-like coating that forms on your teeth. If not removed, plaque can build up and produce dental tartar, a hardened, sticky substance with acid-producing bacteria that cause tooth decay and lead to gum disease.

Fluoride use. Fluoride strengthens teeth and prevents tooth decay. Fluoride treatments are provided in dental offices, and dentists recommend using fluoride toothpastes and mouth rinses at home. Public water fluoridation – ranked as one of the 20th century's 10 great public health achievements – provides a major source of fluoride.

Diet. A balanced diet is a dental health essential. Foods with sugars and carbohydrates feed the bacteria that produce dental plaque, while calcium-poor diets increase your chances of developing gum (periodontal) disease and jaw deterioration.

Regular dental visits. Since most dental conditions are painless at first, if you don't regularly visit your dentist, you may not be aware of dental problems until they cause significant damage. For best results, schedule regular dental check-ups every six months.

Dental cleanings and screenings. A dental cleaning (prophylaxis) is recommended every six months to remove dental plaque and stains you're unable to remove yourself, as well as to check for signs of tooth decay.

X-rays. X-rays enable dentists to look for signs of dental problems that are not visible to the naked eye, such as cavities between teeth and problems below the gum line.

Benefits of a Dental Cleaning and Exams

Most insurance companies will pay 100% of your dental cleaning, exam, and any x-rays you may need. If you are unsure as of whether yours will cover your cleaning or not, please feel free to ask and we will check for you.

Some may think that because their overall health is okay, that a dental exam is not necessary. Actually, your oral health is intertwined with your overall health. Choosing to neglect your teeth and gums comes with a price! Not only do problems become more extensive and expensive, you may be putting yourself at risk for more serious problems. Gum disease, heart disease, and other problems can arise from not have good oral hygiene. Having a cleaning can also detect serious issues such as oral cancers that can be life threatening.

At your dental cleaning your dental hygienist will take bitewing x-rays (detects cavities in between your teeth that can be difficult for your dentist to detect). Occasionally, we will take a panoral x-ray which is necessary if your having your wisdom teeth extracted, a denture or partial made, or for many other reasons. A panoral x-ray is helpful in detecting abnormalities in your sinus, jaw, and surrounding areas such as tumors, cysts, or deterioration of your bones. Your hygienist will remove all plaque and tarter, polish your teeth to remove stains and plaque, and the doctor will exam and give you a treatment plan of any needed restorations. At this time you can choose to have a fluoride treatment. Although it’s not necessary, we highly recommend it.

Fluoride is useful in preventing cavities and making your teeth stronger.

Prevention and Early Detection is the cornerstone of our practice. We hope that we have exceeded your expectations and were able to answer any questions you had. We are looking forward to establishing a long-term relationship with you and helping you maintain optimum oral health.