Preventive Dentistry
When you think about your health, your main focus is probably on what is happening with your body. Although this is important, you should also consider your oral health. Taking care of your teeth and gums is essential to your overall health and can help you keep your teeth for a lifetime.
Preventive dentistry is the best way to help you keep your mouth healthy. Combining good dental hygiene at home with regular visits to your dentist gives you the best chance of maintaining your oral health and keeping your teeth and gums healthy.
Prevention Is the Best Approach
A healthy, beautiful smile doesn’t just happen. To keep your teeth and gums healthy for a lifetime, you need preventive dental care that involves more than just brushing and flossing your teeth. Your dentist can help educate you on maintaining the best oral health possible.
Some of the preventive dentistry services your dentist offers include the following:
- Dental Exams — Visiting your dentist every six months for dental exams allows them to evaluate your oral health, scan for any issues, and treat dental problems before they worsen.
- Dental Cleanings — Regularly scheduled dental cleanings will eliminate harmful plaque and tartar from your teeth, significantly reducing your chances of tooth decay and gum disease.
- Fluoride Treatments — Fluoride is a mineral that helps prevent tooth decay. When you visit your dentist for a dental exam and cleaning, they will provide a fluoride treatment to remineralize your tooth enamel.
- Dental Sealants — As part of a preventive dental plan, sealants are used to shield your teeth from the harmful bacteria that cause tooth decay.
- X-rays —Dental x-rays can help your dentist identify and treat any underlying dental concerns. This can help you maintain your smile.
Keep Your Teeth and Gums Healthy
Your dentist has the expertise to help you maintain your oral health, so when you are ready to learn more about preventive dentistry, contact our dental office to schedule an appointment.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Since most of us don’t routinely analyze the insides of our mouths, you may wonder how you can detect the signs of oral cancer. In addition to oral cancer screenings with your oral surgery specialist, call the doctor’s office if you notice any of these symptoms:
- Bleeding in your mouth that doesn’t stop or a sore that doesn’t heal
- A lump or thickening in the lining of the mouth
- Chronic hoarseness or sore throat
- Red or white patches on the soft tissues in the mouth
- Difficulty swallowing or chewing
Additional symptoms that may signal a problem include fatigue, unexplained weight loss, loose teeth, chronic bad breath, and ear and/or jaw pain. Check your tongue, lips, gums, cheeks, teeth, face, and neck for changes, and call your oral surgery specialist if you have any concerns.
Factors that increase oral cancer risk:
- Tobacco use
- Heavy alcohol use
- Human papillomavirus (HPV)
- Excessive sun exposure
- Fair skin
- Poor oral hygiene
- Poor nutrition
- Gender (men are more prone to oral cancer than women)
Prevention is always the best way to avoid oral cancer. Discontinuing tobacco use may be the single most effective way to lower your risk, even if you’ve been using it for years.
Our Team
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Dr. Michael J. Hoover
Dr. Michael J. Hoover brings decades of experience and a patient-centered philosophy to Hoover Dental. As a dedicated general dentist, he coordinates comprehensive and conservative care tailored to each patient’s individual needs. By combining advanced ...
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Dr. Sarah Osborne
Dr. Sarah Osborne is a dedicated dentist at Hoover Dental who is passionate about helping patients restore their smiles while building lasting relationships with the families she serves. She values being part of a supportive team ...
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Preventive Dentistry Technology
Intraoral Camera
What if you could see exactly what your dentist sees? You'd probably find it simpler to make informed decisions about your oral health!
Intraoral cameras allow you to do precisely that. Using a small digital camera embedded in a wand, the dentist can move it around your mouth and transmit the images instantly to a chairside monitor. This allows you to clearly see everything the dentist describes, including damage to the teeth and signs that might indicate periodontal disease.
Testimonial
"Highly recommend!"
I don't like going to the doctor; don't like going to the dentist. He and his staff make it as pleasant and pain free as possible. Really trust them, won't go anywhere else. Highly recommend.
-Tyler H.