Preventive dentistry is the practice of caring for your teeth to keep them healthy in order to avoid cavities, gum disease, enamel wear, and prolong their natural life.
There are many forms of preventive dentistry, such as daily brushing, dentist visits for cleanings and evaluations, and tooth-friendly eating habits. To maintain optimal oral health, Mint Family Dental recommends visits to the dentist at least every six months.
Children should be taught proper oral hygiene at an early age so that they can proactively prevent tooth and gum disease.
Benefits Of Preventive Dentistry
Some health problems that may be linked to poor oral health are:
- Diabetes
- Heart disease
- Osteoporosis
- Respiratory disease
- Cancer
Premature birth and low birth weight may also be linked to poor oral health. You should continue to practice or adopt good preventive oral health if you’re pregnant. This includes visiting your dentist for routine checkups during your pregnancy.
Below are some useful and common preventive dental services that our practice provides:
Cleanings, Exams And X-Rays
Professional cleanings are as important to your dental health as daily brushing and flossing. Twice yearly dental check-ups and cleanings help catch problems when they are small and easier to treat. Left unattended, small treatable problems become worse and may require more extensive, expensive procedures to repair.
Sealants
Sealant is a special plastic coating on the back teeth to prevent decay. Back teeth are most likely to get decayed, so the protective layer of this plastic protects the tooth.
There are two types of resin-based sealants available today, filled and unfilled. Filled sealants are a combination of resins, chemicals, and fillers. The purpose of the filler is to increase bonding strength and resistance to abrasion and wear. Unfilled sealants have a higher ratio of resin to filler material, and do not need to be adjusted with a dental handpiece; they are in essence self-occluding.
Dental Prophylaxis
Prophylaxis is an important part of daily check-up routine. In this treatment, if needed, antibiotic may be administered to prevent any microbial growth in the gum and the pulp chamber. Prophylaxis is a thorough cleaning procedure along with the evaluation of gum health.
Gum Disease
Our Dentists offer patients both traditional and advanced procedures for maintaining healthy teeth and gums — and their overall health — throughout their lifetimes.
Oral Cancer Screening
During your dental visit, we will talk about your health history and examine you for signs of mouth and/or throat cancer. Regular visits to Mint Family Dental clinic can improve the chances that any suspicious changes in your oral health will be caught early, at a time when cancer can be treated more easily.
