Good oral hygiene means more than brushing and flossing. To properly care for your teeth and gums, it is essential to have regular dental checkups and professional dental cleanings. Preventive dental services such as oral exams, regular cleanings, educational instructions, and X-rays will help identify and treat early dental issues before they become serious.
Your dentist at Gentle Dental will thoroughly examine your teeth, gums, and mouth. This exam is to proactively look for signs of gum disease or other dental problems.
Routine X-rays help determine and diagnose oral problems that would otherwise go unnoticed. Digital X-rays have significantly lower radiation than traditional X-rays.
A dentist or a dental hygienist will perform your routine teeth cleaning by removing built-up plaque and tartar, flossing, and polishing your teeth. Regular cleaning prevents gum diseases, cavities, bad breath, and other dental problems. You should schedule regular cleanings at least twice a year.
Curodont™ Repair Fluoride Plus is a pain-free solution for treating early tooth decay and preventing cavities. Curodont's unique, drill-free technology uses fluoride, calcium, and phosphate from saliva to help remineralize enamel, offering a comfortable alternative to traditional methods. Early demineralization may appear as a white spot beneath the tooth's intact surface, and Curodont works to restore it effectively.
Fluoride is a natural mineral that helps keep teeth healthy and resist decay. Topical fluoride treatments can even stop the development of forming cavities. For patients who are fluoride deficient, we provide fluoride treatments directly to the teeth during a regular dental exam.
Oral cancer screenings have become a regular part of routine dental exams. Early detection of oral cancer increases the overall treatment success rate, and treatment can start immediately.
Sealants are a thin layer of a plastic-based substance applied to teeth to prevent plaque and food particles from gathering in the deep grooves of your tooth's surface. Sealants on permanent molars reduce the risk of cavities by 80%.
Preventive dentistry starts at home and continues in your dental office visits.
Preventive dentistry is all about avoiding problems that can arise down the line. Education on proper oral hygiene, routine care, proactive cleanings, diagnosis, and treatment can ensure and maintain solid and cavity-free teeth. Both adults and children benefit from preventive dentistry. Regular visits to the dentist may help you avoid developing the following conditions:
Maintaining good dental health contributes to overall health and well-being. Since the mouth contains disease-causing bacteria, maintaining good oral health is vital for overall health.
Good oral hygiene and preventive dentistry can help reduce not only the risk for dental problems but also secondary health issues that stem from poor dental health including:
It is important to brush with anti-cavity fluoride toothpaste and floss your teeth at least twice a day. Remember to replace your toothbrush 2-3 times a year. Rinse your mouth twice a day with a fluoride mouthwash.
Visit the dentist at least twice a year for a comprehensive preventive exam. If you have existing oral issues, the dentist may recommend more frequent visits. If you experience any of the following signs or symptoms, you should follow up with your dentist immediately:
You may want to consider using a mouthguard if you:
Ask your dentist for more information.
Eat a well-balanced diet. Limit sugar and foods that are hard on the teeth. Limit dark beverages that stain the teeth, such as soda and wine.
Smoking and using oral tobacco products lead to oral cancers and other dental issues. The best prevention is to create a plan to quit.
Brushing with anti-cavity fluoride toothpaste and flossing your teeth at least twice daily is essential. Remember to replace your toothbrush 2-3 times a year. Rinse your mouth twice a day with a fluoride mouthwash.
Our dentists and staff want to ensure you and your family achieve optimal oral health. It is never too late or too early to practice preventive dental habits. We offer quality, award-winning dentistry services for you and your family. Contact us today to schedule an appointment at a Gentle Dental near you.
Flossing reduces the number of bacteria in your mouth. There are millions of these microscopic creatures feeding on food particles left on your teeth. Flossing removes the bacteria that live in plaque. Brushing your teeth gets rid of some of the bacteria in your mouth. Flossing removes the bacteria the toothbrush can't reach in the tiny spaces between your teeth. If you do not floss, you allow plaque to remain between your teeth. Eventually, it may harden into calculus/tartar. Plaque can be removed by brushing. Only the dentist or dental hygienist can remove calculus/tartar. Ask your dental professional to show you the proper way to floss. You will both notice the difference at the next cleaning appointment.
Brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing are essential!
Replace your toothbrush every three months. For patients with periodontal disease, it is recommended that you replace it every four to six weeks. If you have been sick, replace your toothbrush as soon as possible. Read the replacement guides for electric toothbrushes Since you may need to replace them more frequently.
A dentist applies sealants, a thin plastic coating, to the chewing surfaces of molars and premolars. These sealants create a barrier that protects your teeth from decay-causing bacteria. They bond to the grooves in your teeth, forming a protective shield over the enamel. Sealants effectively prevent cavities in adults and children but are most commonly used for children. Ask your dentist if sealants are a good option for your family.
A cavity is a small hole on the surface of your tooth caused by tooth decay. Cavities form when plaque builds up on your tooth and combines with sugar from the foods you eat, creating an acid that eats away the enamel on your tooth. If a cavity is left untreated, it can lead to more serious oral health problems. Brushing and flossing can prevent cavities.
A dentist fills a cavity by removing all tooth decay and then using a synthetic material to fill the hole. Fillings, made from materials like composites, gold, or ceramic, are often matched to the color of your teeth.
Also known as periodontal disease, gum disease is mainly caused by plaque and bacteria buildup not treated in its early stage. Other causes of periodontal disease include tobacco use, teeth grinding, some medications, and genetics.
Gingivitis is the early stage of gum disease and is treatable if detected. However, if left untreated, it can become more severe. Advanced gum disease is a permanent condition that leads to tooth and bone loss.
Brushing your teeth regularly and visiting our office every six months will help prevent gingivitis and more severe cases of periodontal disease. Common signs of gum disease include:
Curodont™ Repair Fluoride Plus naturally repairs enamel at the first signs of decay with a non-invasive 5-minute treatment. Using a proprietary peptide, it rebuilds enamel by drawing on calcium, phosphate, and minerals from saliva, penetrating deep into the lesion for effective restoration.
The non-invasive therapy with Curodont™ Repair Fluoride Plus (CRFP) is both safe and effortlessly easy to apply.
If your request is a dental emergency, or you would like to call and schedule your dental appointment, contact information for our offices can be found here: Gentle Dental Locations. New patient offer not valid for emergency appointments.
What are the different types of dentists and what treatment do they provide?Common Types of…
The link between strokes and oral healthIt’s hard to believe that issues within your mouth…
What is Dental tartar?Tartar, also referred to as calculus, can take a serious toll on your…