PREVENTATIVE DENTISTRY
Partnering With You To Keep Your Smile At Its Healthiest
Much of your preventative dental care starts with you, but Dedicated Dental is here to help guide you along the way.
Preventative dentistry is dental care that helps maintain good oral health. It’s a combination of regular dental check-ups along with developing good habits like brushing and flossing. Taking care of your teeth starts early in childhood and extends throughout your life.
Preventative dentistry services may include:
Regular oral exams, usually every six months
Teeth cleaning
Routine X-rays
Your dental plan may cover you fully for preventative care, depending on the type of dental plan you have.
What’s your role in preventative dental care?
Much of your preventative dental care starts with you. Developing healthy dental habits early in life can help reduce cavities, gum disease, and gingivitis. Here are the basics of good oral health:
Brush your teeth at least two times a day—usually morning and night—using a soft-bristled brush and fluoride toothpaste. Your dentist can recommend the best toothbrush and toothpaste for you. They can also instruct you on how to brush properly.
Floss daily to clean parts of the teeth inaccessible with a toothbrush.
Use a mouthwash to rinse out food particles after flossing.
Avoid acidic foods that can harm tooth enamel.
Be cautious with hard foods, like some candies, foods with bones, seeds, or pits that could damage or chip teeth.
Don’t smoke or use tobacco products—these can lead to cancer and other dental problems.
Use a mouthguard when participating in certain sports.
If you grind your teeth at night, ask your dentist for a nighttime mouth guard to help reduce gum recession.
What is preventative dentistry for children?
As soon as a child gets their first tooth, preventative dental care can begin. Preventative dentistry for kids can help identify problems early on in your child’s life before dental problems become worse and often more costly. Services typically include the following:
Promote good dental habits, including brushing and flossing, guidance on thumb sucking, and advice on eating habits that help improve dental health.
Regular teeth cleanings and oral exams, usually every six months
Fluoride application (usually up to a certain age)
Sealants
Routine X-rays to help track jaw and teeth development
Fitting athletic mouthguards
Referrals to orthodontists if necessary to prevent complicated and costly treatments later.
Referrals to other dental specialists as needed
Helping identify related health issues that may impact a child’s dental health
Before scheduling a dental visit, review the details of your dental plan, so you know what’s covered and when.
Preventative Dentistry Benefits
There are many benefits to regular preventative dental exams. Preventative dentistry lowers your risk for developing tooth decay, gum disease, and more serious dental problems. The first act of defense in those dental issues is promoting good oral hygiene habits, such as brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing. Early identification of dental problems may help minimize treatment and cost, so it’s good practice to keep your scheduled visits twice a year. Preventative dentistry enables your dentist to do a full exam of your mouth, jaw, neck, to identify any related problems. It also helps reduce dental problems related to some chronic medical conditions including diabetes, osteoporosis, certain cancers, and eating disorders, which can all affect dental and oral health. For people with chronic conditions, regular preventative dental care is an important part of whole-person health.
What to Expect During Your Preventive Dentistry Visit
A routine exam and cleaning visit can vary depending on the patient’s current dental health and oral health history, but most people can expect a thorough visual examination of teeth and gums, checking for signs of decay and gum disease. At your visit, your dentist will check the integrity of existing dental work (such as fillings, crowns, etc.). You will receive a professional cleaning, get X-rays when needed, and oral cancer screening if necessary. The depth of the gum pockets around the teeth to check the health of the gum tissue will also be measured.
