Preventative
When it comes to talking about Preventative Dentistry, tooth decay and gum disease are the common topics, which are expanded on below.
There are other issues to talk about as well, such as the airways, the jaw joints, and growth and development. While this website does not delve into the preventative side of all of these topics, visits with our dental team include a comprehensive approach to caring for the entire dental system. We aim to help prevent problems within the dental system as early as possible.
Prevention of Tooth Decay and
Periodontal Disease
Preventative care in the form of routine dental cleanings, x-rays and exams help to preserve natural tooth structure and maintain existing restorations. Therefore, an approach that combines good oral hygiene practices at home (brushing and flossing) with regular professional care (dental cleanings by the hygienist) is the foundation of good prevention.
Prevention is focused on keeping plaque and calculus (tartar) off of the teeth, as they are the source of irritation and infection of the gum tissues that result in periodontal disease. Bacteria that build up on the teeth ingest food debris left behind from poor oral hygiene efforts and produce acids that eat away at the surface of the tooth. For an individual, we emphasize home care and diet as the basis of prevention of decay. There are other factors as well, which includes poorly designed restorations, open contacts between back teeth, mouth breathing, teeth grinding, and crooked teeth.