Preventive Dentistry

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 Prevention and early detection is key in avoiding costly and potential painful dental treatment.  Teeth can and should last your entire lifetime.  Prevention begins with plaque and calculus control, the main causes of decay and gum disease. 

The most important steps in maintaining oral health and preventing tooth decay are regular brushing, flossing, and a balanced diet. The American Dental Association recommends professional checkups and dental cleanings every 6 months. Other steps to prevent decay include: fluoride, sealants, caries risk assessment, diet counseling, preventive resin restorations, and oral hygiene instructions. 

 A cleaning also known as tooth scaling also known as prophylaxis consists of the hard build-up (tartar/calculus), plaque, and stains being removed for the teeth. Scaling is part of a professional tooth cleaning.  Routine cleanings prevent plaque build-up from wreaking havoc on your oral health.  

 Our office uses tooth polishing as a first-line of defense against dental problems.  Polishing is a preventive procedure used to make tooth surfaces smooth.  Plaque and food debris have difficulty accumulating to smooth surfaces making it harder for these cavity causing culprits to start the decay or gum disease process.  

Fluoride is a naturally occurring element derived from fluorine. Use of fluoride products including toothpaste, mouthwashes, and tap water are a great way to protect your teeth from decay. Fluoride helps prevent and even reverse the early stages of tooth decay. Fluoride treatments can benefit both children and adults and can be applied to your teeth in just a matter of minutes!

 Dental sealants are a simple cavity prevention procedure consisting of applying a thin, tooth colored, plastic material to one or more teeth.  The material is applied to the pits and grooves on the chewing surfaces of teeth.

 Our office may recommend sealants if your teeth have very deep pits and grooves as these areas are prone to decay since it is difficult for toothbrush bristles to clean.  Sealants are usually recommended on permanent 1st and 2nd molars when they have fully erupted (typically ages 6-7 and 12-13, respectively)  

However, some baby teeth and even adult teeth can benefit from sealants! This procedure typically takes a few minutes to apply and is painless!