Good oral hygiene means more than brushing and flossing. To properly care for your teeth and gums, it is essential to have regular dental checkups and professional dental cleanings. Preventive dental services such as oral exams, regular cleanings, educational instructions, and X-rays will help identify and treat early dental issues before they become serious.
Your Great Lakes Family Dental dentist will thoroughly examine your teeth, gums, and mouth. This exam is to proactively look for signs of gum disease or other dental problems.
Routine x-rays help determine and diagnose oral problems that would otherwise go unnoticed. Digital x-rays have significantly lower radiation than traditional x-rays.
A dentist or a dental hygienist will perform your routine teeth cleaning by removing built-up plaque and tartar, flossing, and polishing your teeth. Regular cleaning prevents gum diseases, cavities, bad breath, and other dental problems. Cleaning should be regular, and You should schedule it at least twice a year.
Curodont™ Repair Fluoride Plus provides a pain-free solution for treating early tooth decay and preventing cavities. Using Curodont's innovative, drill-free technology, fluoride, calcium, and phosphate from saliva combine to remineralize enamel, offering a comfortable alternative to traditional treatments. Early demineralization often appears as a white spot beneath the intact tooth surface, which Curodont effectively addresses.
Fluoride is a natural mineral that helps keep teeth healthy and resist decay. Topical fluoride treatments can even stop the development of cavities that are just beginning to develop. For patients who are fluoride deficient, we provide fluoride treatments directly to the teeth during a regular dental exam.
Oral cancer screenings have become a regular part of routine dental exams. Early detection of oral cancer increases the overall treatment success rate, and treatment can start immediately.
Sealants are a thin layer of a plastic-based substance that, when applied to the teeth, prevent plaque and food particles from gathering in the deep grooves of your tooth's surface. Sealants on permanent molars reduce the risk of cavities by 80%.
Preventive dentistry starts at home and continues in your dental office visits.
Preventive dentistry is all about avoiding problems that can arise down the line. Education on proper oral hygiene, routine care, proactive cleanings, diagnosis, and treatment can ensure and maintain solid and cavity-free teeth. Both adults and children benefit from preventive dentistry. If you practice good oral hygiene, maintain a healthy diet, and keep up with dentist visits, you're on the path to a lifetime of healthy teeth. Regular visits to the dentist may help you avoid developing the following conditions:
Dental health is linked to overall health and well-being. Since the mouth contains disease-causing bacteria, maintaining good oral health is vital for overall health.
Good oral hygiene and preventive dentistry can help reduce the risk of dental problems and the secondary health issues that stem from poor dental health.
It is important to brush with anti-cavity fluoride toothpaste and floss your teeth at least twice a day. Remember to replace your toothbrush 2-3 times a year. Rinse your mouth twice a day with a fluoride mouthwash.
Visit the dentist at least twice a year for a comprehensive preventive exam. If you have existing oral issues, the dentist may recommend more frequent visits. If you experience any of the following signs or symptoms, you should follow up with your dentist immediately:
You may want to consider using a mouthguard if you:
Ask your dentist for more information.
Eat a well-balanced diet. Limit sugar and foods that are hard on the teeth. Limit dark beverages that stain the teeth, such as soda and wine.
Smoking and using oral tobacco products lead to oral cancers and other dental issues. The best prevention is to create a plan to quit.
Brushing with anti-cavity fluoride toothpaste and flossing your teeth at least twice daily is essential. Remember to replace your toothbrush 2-3 times a year. Rinse your mouth twice a day with a fluoride mouthwash.
Our dentists and staff want to ensure you and your family achieve optimal oral health. It is always early enough to practice preventive dental habits. We offer quality, award-winning dentistry services for you and your family. Contact us today to schedule an appointment at a Great Lakes Family Dental near you.
Flossing reduces the number of bacteria in your mouth. Millions of these microscopic creatures feed on food particles left on your teeth. Flossing removes the bacteria that live in plaque. Brushing your teeth gets rid of some of the bacteria in your mouth. Flossing gets rid of the bacteria the toothbrush can't get to. That's the bacteria hiding in the tiny spaces between your teeth. If you do not floss, you allow plaque to remain between your teeth, and eventually, it may harden into calculus/tartar. Plaque can be removed by brushing. Only the dentist or dental hygienist can remove calculus/tartar. Ask your dental professional to show you the proper way to floss. You will both notice the difference at the next cleaning appointment.
Brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing are essential!
Replace your toothbrush every three months. For patients with periodontal disease, it is recommended that you replace it every four to six weeks. If you have been sick, replace your toothbrush as soon as possible. You should read the instructions for replacement guides for electric toothbrushes since you may need to replace them more frequently.
Sealants are a thin plastic coating painted on molars and premolars' chewing surfaces. They act as a barrier, protecting teeth against decay-causing bacteria. The Sealant bonds to the grooves in your teeth, forming a protective shield over the enamel of each tooth. Sealants have proven effective at preventing cavities in adults and children, but they are most commonly used on children. Ask your dentist whether sealants are a good choice for your family.
A cavity is a small hole on the surface of your tooth caused by tooth decay. Cavities form when plaque builds up on your tooth and combines with sugar from the foods you eat, creating an acid that eats away the enamel on your tooth. If a cavity is left untreated, it can lead to more serious oral health problems. Brushing and flossing can prevent cavities.
A dentist uses a filling to fill a cavity. First, all tooth decay is removed, and then a synthetic material is used to fill the hole. Fillings can be made from various materials, including composites, gold, or ceramic, and can be made to match the color of your teeth.
Also known as periodontal disease, gum disease is mainly caused by plaque and bacteria buildup not treated in its early stage. Other causes of periodontal disease include tobacco use, teeth grinding, some medications, and genetics.
Gingivitis is the beginning stage of gum disease. If detected, it is treatable. If left untreated, gingivitis may turn into gum disease. Advanced gum disease will lead to tooth and bone loss, a permanent condition.
Brushing your teeth regularly and visiting our office every six months will help prevent gingivitis and more severe cases of periodontal disease. Common signs of gum disease:
Curodont™ Repair Fluoride Plus naturally restores enamel at the earliest signs of decay with a quick, non-invasive 5-minute treatment. Its proprietary peptide technology draws calcium, phosphate, and minerals from saliva to penetrate deep into the lesion, effectively rebuilding the enamel for lasting restoration.
Curodont™ Repair Fluoride Plus (CRFP) offers a safe, non-invasive therapy that is simple and effortless to apply.
If your request is a dental emergency, or you would like to call and schedule your dental appointment, contact information for our offices can be found here: Great Lakes Family Dental Locations. New patient offer not valid for emergency appointments.