Preventative Dentistry
Comfortable, Comprehensive and Customized.
Oral Hygiene
One of the most important things a patient can do to improve and maintain healthy gums and teeth is to practice good oral hygiene. Although this ultimately is in the hands of the patient at home, our office is here to help and offer advice. We take our patients oral health very seriously and recommend daily preventative care in between dental check ups, which can reduce the risk of tooth decay, gum disease and other dental problems brought on by lack of oral hygiene.
To make your oral hygiene routine effective consider incorporating the following to your daily habits:
- Brush and floss twice a day
- Eat a balanced diet and limit snacks in between meals
- Use dental products that contain fluoride
- Use a mouthwash that contains fluoride if your doctor recommends it
- Make sure children under 12 are drinking fluoridated water or taking a fluoride supplement if they do not live in a fluoridated area.
Prophylaxis - Dental Cleaning
A prophylaxis is a dental cleaning performed by one of our talented and caring dental hygienists. During a prophylaxis, we discuss your individualized dental and overall health together, and take any necessary radiographs that the dentist prescribes, in order to properly evaluate and diagnose dental disease. Our hygienists assess your current gum condition, discuss and educate you on your periodontal condition and make gum treatment recommendations if necessary.
During the prophylaxis, your teeth are scaled both mechanically and with ultrasonics, removing tartar, plaque, and stain. Your teeth are polished, creating not only a healthy smile, but also a beautiful one.
Individualized care is discussed at these appointments, including dietary counseling and fluoride recommendations for those that are cavity prone.
Your prophylaxis frequency varies from 3-6 months according to your dental needs. Our dental hygienists work closely with you to create the best plan for you.
Sealants
A common preventative treatment is a sealant. Our adult molars usually erupt with fine grooves and pits that easily accumulate plaque, creating cavities, even if we are excellent tooth brushers. The bristles on our toothbrushes can not reach deep into the grooves and pits. Sealants, which are plastic coating, are applied to the biting surfaces of the teeth, filling in the anatomy making it possible to keep the area clean. The ideal time to have sealants placed are when the permanent molars erupt, around the age of 6 and then again at the age of 12. Your dental hygienist and dentist will guide you on when the right time is to protect your teeth with dental sealants.
Fluoride Treatments
Our team of dental professionals are highly educated in taking care of your preventative needs. Fluoride can be an important adjunct to your dental care needs, regardless of your age, by not only helping to reduce cavities, but also helping reduce general tooth sensitivity. As we age, our preventive needs continue to increase as we experience different changes in our mouths, such as gum recession, dry mouth, and aging fillings. Our types of fluoride treatments and recommendations are individualized according to your specific circumstances and needs. Generations Family Dental’s goal is to provide comprehensive and preventative care for all of our patients.