Preventive Dental Care

Semiannual checkups with your dentist, along with professional cleanings by a dental hygienist, are the cornerstone of a healthy smile. Such preventive care goes a long way towards reducing the presence of harmful oral bacteria and optimizing your oral health. If you have not seen a dentist in the past six months, we encourage you to call our office and schedule an appointment to get back on track with your dental care routine.

Preventive Dental Care

What to Expect From Exams and Cleanings

Your check-up will begin with an evaluation and a thorough teeth cleaning by our dental hygienist. Even if you are conscientious about your oral hygiene regimen at home, you still need to have such cleanings, which remove any accumulation of plaque and tartar that develops despite your best home care efforts.

After your teeth have been cleaned, Dr. Nathanson and Dr. Vail will examine your teeth and gums, looking for signs of issues like periodontal disease or tooth decay. Additionally, our doctors will inspect the soft oral tissues for symptoms that could indicate oral cancer.

Once each year, we will also take x-rays that we can review to identify any problems with the jaws or on areas of the teeth that are obscured from view.

Fluoride Treatments

Fluoride strengthens teeth, but the fluoridated water that we drink is only of value for teeth as they are developing. This “systemic fluoride”, as it is called, is incorporated into the enamel of teeth as they are growing, making them more resistant to decay. The fluoride in drinking water does NOT strengthen adult teeth; that’s why we place fluoride directly on adult teeth—a procedure called “topical fluoride”—in concentrations that are higher than what is available in fluoridated water and toothpastes. An added benefit of the topical fluoride that we use is that it has been shown to provide an antimicrobial effect on the bacteria that cause gum disease.

Fluoride Treatments

Importance of Routine Dental Care in Oral Disease Prevention

When you visit our office regularly for exams and cleanings, you’ll be taking important steps to prevent cavities, gum disease and other oral health problems. However, this is only one piece of the puzzle. Your oral hygiene habits at home are just as important—perhaps even more important—to maintaining your oral health.

A good oral hygiene regimen may include the following:

Brushing: Patients should brush twice each day, for two minutes each time.
Flossing: Floss once each day, preferably immediately before brushing.
Antibacterial mouthwash: Patients who have higher than average levels of plaque and tartar may benefit from adding an antibacterial mouthwash to their routine.
Power dental devices: Electric toothbrushes such as the Sonicare and oral irrigators like the Waterpik have been shown to improve oral health and achieve better plaque removal than manual toothbrushing.

Your oral hygiene techniques and tools matter, too. For example, gentle brushing while properly angling your brush at the gumline will help remove plaque and provide the gums with a healthy, stimulating ‘massage’. Also, take care to use a soft-bristled brush that is in good condition. Switch to a new brush every 3-4 months.

Importance of Routine Dental Care in Oral Disease Prevention

A good oral hygiene regimen may include the following:

Brushing: Patients should brush twice each day, for two minutes each time.
Flossing: Floss once each day, preferably immediately before brushing.
Antibacterial mouthwash: Patients who have higher than average levels of plaque and tartar may benefit from adding an antibacterial mouthwash to their routine.
Power dental devices: Electric toothbrushes such as the Sonicare and oral irrigators like the Waterpik have been shown to improve oral health and achieve better plaque removal than manual toothbrushing.

Keep Your Smile Healthy for Life

Preventive dentistry is an important part of your oral health care habits! Be sure to maintain your dental appointments twice a year to receive preventive dentistry services. If you haven’t been to the dentist in some time or are looking for a new dentist, we welcome you to schedule an appointment with our office. Our team is here to keep your smile looking and feeling its best!

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