To protect your teeth from decay and severe cavities, we recommend participating in preventative dentistry treatments at home and in the dental office. At North Auburn Dentistry, we offer preventative dentistry in Auburn CA.
What is Preventative Dentistry?
Preventative dentistry is the branch of dentistry that focuses on preventing dental problems before they occur. Preventative dentistry includes many measures, such as maintaining good oral hygiene, eating a balanced diet, and using fluoridated toothpaste.
While the ultimate goal of preventative dentistry is to prevent dental problems, it can also help reduce the severity of existing issues and prevent them from worsening. Preventive dentistry is essential for children and adults, as it can help ensure that your teeth remain healthy throughout your life. By taking steps to prevent cavities, gum disease, and other oral health issues, preventative dentists like Dr. Dever can help their patients maintain healthy smiles for a lifetime.
Benefits of Preventative Dentistry?
If you are concerned about your oral health, be sure to talk to Dr. Brandon Dever about preventative measures that you can take. Taking steps to prevent dental problems now can save you time, money, and hassle in the future. Some of the benefits of preventative dentistry include:
- Preventing cavities
- Reducing the need for fillings
- Preventing gum disease
- Reducing the risk of tooth loss
- Reducing the severity of existing dental problems
- Saving money in the long run by preventing costly dental treatments.
At-Home Oral Care
The American Dental Association recommends brushing your teeth twice daily for two minutes each session. We also recommend using fluoride toothpaste and flossing at least once a day. We encourage each patient to follow these recommendations daily. We give tips on how to better practice at-home dental care at your dental check-up. We recommend seeing the dentist for the following treatments:
Professional Cleanings
It is recommended that each patient comes in for a professional dental cleaning every six months. At each cleaning, our dental professionals use high-powered dental instruments to remove plaque build-up and food from teeth, which makes teeth cleaner, whiter, and smoother. After removing plaque, we will perform deep flossing to remove any food between teeth.
Dental Exams and X-Rays
Following the cleaning, the dentist will examine your teeth and take x-rays to make sure your teeth are in optimal condition. Only a trained dental professional can diagnose and treat decay in a tooth.
Dental Sealants
Another preventative treatment we offer is dental sealants on the chewing surfaces of back molars. Our back teeth in the chewing surfaces have deep pits and fissures that are likely to store food and bacteria. Especially for children, these back teeth can be challenging to clean. With a professional sealing treatment, a liquid sealant material is placed into the pits and fissures and hardened with a curing light. Once hardened, the dental sealant acts as a barrier, protecting the tooth from cavities.
Fluoride Treatment
At the end of each professional cleaning, patients have the opportunity to receive a fluoride treatment. Fluoride is a natural mineral put into dental products or treatments to strengthen the tooth’s enamel to fight against decay. Fluoride varnish is painted onto each surface of the teeth and left on for a few hours. While the fluoride varnish is on the teeth, patients can eat and drink like normal.
We recommend that our patients purchase at-home dental products that contain fluoride, such as toothpaste and mouthwashes, for additional protection against decay.
Preventative Dentistry in Auburn CA
Taking advantage of each preventative treatment available will significantly improve the overall health of your smile and save you money on extensive restorative procedures in the future. If you are in Auburn, California, and are ready for your next professional dental cleaning, please call us at North Auburn Dentistry. We are always accepting new patients and would love to treat you.