Preventive dentistry is a set of techniques and procedures used to prevent the development of a dental disease. It involves daily brushing and flossing, eating a balanced diet, and regular dental visits.

What is preventive care?

Preventive care is a type of dentistry that is meant to keep your mouth healthy and prevent the need for more serious restorative treatments in the future. This type of dental care includes:

- Routine cleanings and examinations every six months

- X-rays as needed to diagnose problems early

- Prevention techniques for gum disease, such as deep cleanings, scaling, and root planing

- Hygiene instructions

- Treatment of teeth grinding and clenching

- Treatment for sleep apnea and other sleep issues

- Treatments for TMJ disorders and the related symptoms (TMJ refers to temporomandibular joint disorder, which is pain that is often felt in the jaw area as well as the neck, shoulders, and head)

- Reconstructions for chipped or broken teeth, tooth gaps, or bite misalignment

- Cosmetic treatments to enhance your smile

- Sealants for children’s molars to prevent decay

- Custom mouthguards to protect your teeth during sports activity

- Other treatments for common oral health problems

All of these treatments are designed to prevent the need for more intensive restorative procedures later down the road. Our preventative dental treatments are safe and gentle, designed to both clean and treat your teeth and gums in a way that leaves them healthy and strong for years to come. Please contact us today to learn more about how we can help!

Preventing cavities

Dental sealants are an easy way to help prevent tooth decay in children and teens. The sealant is a plastic coating that is painted onto the surface of the tooth, where it bonds with the natural grooves of the tooth. Sealants are clear or tooth-colored and cannot be seen once placed. They act as a barrier to prevent food and plaque from building up on the teeth. While brushing and flossing are still necessary to maintain proper oral health, sealants can help protect your child’s teeth while they are learning to properly care for their smile.

Fluoride treatments can also be given to children to help prevent tooth decay. These treatments are fast and effective, and parents love that they do not cause any discomfort to their children during their appointments. Professional fluoride treatments contain a higher concentration of fluoride than over-the-counter products, so it is important to see your dentist for a professional application.

Many adults have begun to see the benefits of using an electric toothbrush over a manual toothbrush. Electric toothbrushes reach areas of your mouth that a handheld brush cannot, and will help reduce plaque buildup. Some electric toothbrushes even include a timer that will let you know when you have brushed your teeth for the recommended amount of time. This helps ensure that every surface of your teeth is clean.

If you are looking for additional ways to protect your teeth and prevent decay, contact our office today. We would be happy to discuss your oral health needs and options with you.

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Preventive dentistry can reduce your need for further dental care as well as decrease your risk for gum disease and tooth loss. Call today to schedule your appointment with our caring team at [practice_name].

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Preventing sensitivity

There are several ways that a dentist can prevent a patient from experiencing tooth sensitivity after getting a treatment like teeth whitening or porcelain veneers. First, your dental care provider can thoroughly examine your teeth and identify if you have existing decay that needs to be repaired before receiving cosmetic dental treatments. This can reduce the extent of tooth sensitivity as well as prevent it from reoccurring in the future.

Next, this dentist can use topical desensitizing medications prior to placing any restorations on your tooth surfaces. The medication can be applied directly to the teeth or to the gums. Applying a small amount of the medication to your gums helps reduce irritation and inflammation in the gum tissues as well. Typically, you can expect to experience less discomfort after a procedure if you use one of these products ahead of time.

Finally, your dentist can also take steps to reduce the sensitivity of your teeth during the actual procedure itself. For example, the dentist can apply fluoride varnish to the treated area after the procedure is complete to help strengthen your enamel and reduce the likelihood of sensitivity and tooth decay. You can also ask your dentist about using a rubber dam during your treatment to protect the rest of your mouth from the bleaching gel or other materials used during the procedure as well. Both methods will help reduce your day-to-day sensitivity to hot and cold foods and drinks as well.

In addition to using these methods to reduce sensitivity after your treatment is complete, it’s also important to take steps at home to reduce your risk of sensitivity as well. Using toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth and avoiding foods and beverages that can irritate the soft tissues of your mouth can help reduce the impact of sensitivity often experienced by patients following cosmetic dentistry treatments. However, if you continue to experience symptoms like tooth pain after eating hot or cold foods, it’s important to contact your dentist right away. You may need additional treatments for reducing sensitivity in your teeth.

- Dr. Carly Rose BDS, LDSRCS, MS | Dentist and

Microabrasions

- A variety of materials can be used to help combat tooth decay. The most commonly used material is a silica-based powder that is applied as a slurry to areas of decay or enamel loss. This material is then buffed off with a rubber cup that spins against the tooth surface to remove debris and smooth the surface. This is done after your teeth have been thoroughly cleaned and dried.

- By removing only the damaged layer of your tooth, we can remove smaller amounts of tissue and reduce the chance of infection to your gums. This procedure also allows us to save more of your natural tooth structure than if we were to use a filling.

- Laser dentistry is another method we can use to treat even small cavities before they become a problem. We create a small hole in the surface of the tooth and then use a laser to target the cavity-causing bacteria inside. This can allow us to treat the tooth without traumatizing more of the surrounding tissues.

- We also recommend limiting sugary foods and drinks as well as practicing good hygiene at home. You can limit your sugar intake by drinking more water and avoiding soda and other beverages with added sugars. We also suggest using a fluoride toothpaste twice a day and flossing at least once a day to remove any plaque buildup that can lead to decay. Brushing your tongue is also important for removing any residue that can irritate the soft tissue and cause bad breath.

- Using an at-home teeth cleaning routine will help to clean your teeth and prevent bacteria from building up and causing problems. However, you may have trouble reaching certain areas in your smile such as the grooves in the back molars. This is why we recommend getting a professional cleaning with our dental hygienist twice a year. These cleanings are much more effective than a toothbrush at removing the plaque that can build up in the nooks and crannies of the teeth and along the gum line. During your visit, we will

Materials used

Many patients are concerned about the materials used to whiten their teeth. Rest assured that we use the highest quality tooth whitening materials available. The ingredients used in our teeth whitening solutions are enamel friendly and allow natural tooth color to be restored without altering or damage the surface or structure of the teeth.

Since 1997 we have perfected the use of custom fitted trays for at home whitening treatment. Whitening with custom fit trays results in a much more reliable and predictable outcome than over the counter strips or “paint on” treatments. Custom trays are made using impressions of your teeth so the whitening solution fits properly around all surfaces of each tooth for maximum effectiveness. We have pioneered this technique in dentistry and have treated thousands of patients with beautiful results!

Our cosmetic dentists have evaluated and tried all of the whitening products on the market and recommend Opalescence by Ultradent because of its superior quality and performance. This professional grade whitening gel is highly concentrated and penetrates the teeth to remove deep stains from coffee, tea, wine and tobacco. We also offer an at-home touch up kit that uses the same professional grade gel to continue to whiten the smile over time with the convenience of an easy to use pen device.

In addition to our professional grade take home whitening kits we offer two powerful in office bleaching options as well. Our Zoom! system can remove years of staining in just one hour while a BoostTM Teeth Whitening System can brighten smiles in just twenty minutes. Both systems produce instant results and leave you with noticeably whiter teeth and a brighter smile.

If you are interested in improving your smile with a whiter brighter smile please call and schedule a consultation with one of our dentists today! We look forward to working with you to achieve your cosmetic goals!

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