What is Preventive Dental Care?
The goal of preventive dental care is to help you avoid cavities, gum disease, and other oral conditions. That way, you’ll be able to enjoy good oral health for the rest of your life.
Likewise, preventive dental care can help you save money in the long run. During your routine visits, we’re able to detect small issues before they have the opportunity to worsen. This protects your oral health and helps you avoid the likelihood of a dental emergency and costly restorative care.
Here are the preventive services we offer.
Teeth Cleanings & Exams
It’s true that you can remove plaque at home by brushing and flossing your teeth. But only a dental professional will be able to remove plaque that’s hardened into tartar.
Plaque is an invisible film of bacteria that lives inside your mouth. After you eat, the bacteria consume any carbs left behind and produce an acid that attacks your teeth and gums. If left untreated, plaque buildup can lead to cavities, gum disease, and other issues.
Here’s what you can expect during your next teeth cleaning:
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- Initial exam from hygienist
- Plaque and tartar removal
- Tooth polishing
- Flossing
- Oral examination from dentist
We may also take X-rays if it’s been a while since the last ones. That way, we’re able to detect any minor decay between your teeth, wisdom teeth eruption, reduced jawbone density, and other changes to your oral health.
Related: What to Expect During a Teeth Cleaning →
Oral Cancer Screenings
The estimates that about 54,010 Americans will get oral or throat cancer in 2021. This means that it’s more important than ever for you to get your oral cancer screening.
During your appointment, one of our dentists will examine the inside of your mouth. They’ll look and feel for any lumps, sores, red or white patches, or other abnormalities.
The sooner we detect oral cancer, the higher the chance of survival for the patient.
Dental Sealants
Are you prone to getting cavities in your back teeth? If so, your dentist may recommend getting dental sealants.
A sealant is a clear plastic coating that we’re able to paint onto the chewing surfaces of your molars (back teeth). This helps reduce your risk of tooth decay by sealing any grooves or divots where plaque can hide.
One common misconception is that only children can get dental sealants.
Not true!
Patients of all ages may . But first, check your dental insurance policy.
Many companies only cover dental sealants for patients younger than 18 years old. But don’t let this discourage you.
Sealants are typically much less expensive than fillings, crowns, and other restorative dental work. In other words, it’s much less expensive to prevent cavities than to treat them.
That being said, dental sealants are not a replacement for practicing good oral hygiene. This means that you must continue to brush your teeth twice a day and floss once daily to remove plaque. Also, continue seeing your dentist for preventive dental care.
Request an Appointment With Us
Our Grand Rapids dentists would be more than happy to help you maintain healthy teeth and gums for life. To request an appointment, please call Advance Dental at (616) 956-9183. You may also fill out our online contact form and someone from our office will reach out to you soon.
