Preventive Dental Care involves regular dental exams to help protect your oral health and general well being. It also involves promoting optimal tooth and gum health through patient education of adopting good oral hygiene practices to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. In having good oral hygiene, patients can avoid cavities, gingivitis (inflammation of gum tissue), periodontal disease (gum disease), and enamel loss.
Maintaining optimal oral health requires daily brushing, flossing, and regular dental check-ups and cleanings at least twice a year for both adults, children, and adolescents to ensure teeth are clean, strong, and healthy.
Good oral health is important, and proper, preventive dental care helps patients avoid or lessen the effects of developing dental problems in the future.
Preventive Dentistry also helps educate patients on the importance of good oral health. Since the mouth is a breeding ground for harmful bacteria, it is essential to maintain a clean mouth to benefit your overall health. Maintaining good oral health greatly reduces your risks of getting cavities, gingivitis, periodontitis, and further reduces your risks of developing secondary health problems (e.g., diabetes, heart disease, osteoporosis, respiratory disease, cancer) due to poor oral health.
It is important to develop and maintain good oral hygiene to keep your teeth healthy. Here are some tips on caring for your teeth:
You should limit your sugar intake because sugar is harmful to your teeth. Cavity-causing bacteria in the mouth feed on sugar and produce acids that attack tooth enamel. It is, therefore, important to eat a well-balanced diet and limit between-meal snacking for a healthy mouth.
The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that when selecting a toothpaste, look for the ADA Seal of Acceptance and toothpaste. The seal helps make sure you are choosing the best toothpaste for your dental needs. It is also the assurance that the toothpaste has met the ADA criteria for safety and effectiveness, and that it does what it says.
At Belmont Family Dentistry, our comprehensive Preventive Dental Care services include a complete review of medical and dental history and regular dental exams for patients of all ages. These are an important part of preventive health care.
During your visit, Dr. Tinkle, Dr. Yoon or one of our hygienists– Alanna, Danyell, Natalie or Nikki–will discuss your diet and oral hygiene habits, including proper brushing and flossing techniques, and the effect your medications or use of tobacco products may have on your oral health.
If you have other concerns you would like to discuss such as the consequence of tooth loss; the benefits of crowns, fixed bridges or dental implants; the use of dentures; or your desire for cosmetic procedures, this would be the ideal time to discuss these concerns.
During your exam, one of our dental hygienists will clean your teeth, identify any gum inflammation or bone loss and evaluate your risk of developing tooth decay and other oral health problems. They’ll also check your face, mouth, neck, and jaw for any abnormalities. Your exam may also include 3D digital x-rays (provides complete visual information that allows your dentist to study your case from every angle) or other diagnostic procedures such as an oral cancer screening.
At the conclusion of your visit, your doctor will discuss all your options with you and help you come up with an oral health plan that suits your needs.
During these exams, your doctor or one of our hygienists will likely discuss your child’s diet and oral hygiene habits. They’ll also demonstrate proper brushing and flossing techniques to make sure your child or adolescent is getting the most out of their at-home cleanings. Other topics for discussion might include preventing oral injuries and the health risks involved with tobacco, substance abuse, and oral piercings.
Contact us today at (503) 234-1218 to schedule your family’s comprehensive Preventive Dental Care services with Belmont Family Dentistry.
