Preventative dental care is a crucial part of maintaining optimal oral health. It encompasses various practices and treatments, from maintaining good oral hygiene to having regular dental check-ups. This practice of caring for teeth can help keep teeth healthy and prevent dental issues.
Our team at Oak Tree Dental provides preventative dental care in Poway and the surrounding area. We can support you in maintaining a healthy smile. Call us today at (858) 748-2101 to learn more about our services or schedule an appointment.
The importance of preventative care
Receiving preventative dental care is a proactive way to manage oral health. Rather than wait for a dental problem to develop before looking for a solution, preventative care aims to avert issues before they occur. Prevention can save patients from spending time and money on more invasive and complex dental treatments.
Preventative dental care can lower the risk of developing dental issues, such as cavities and gum disease. This can also reduce the risk of developing secondary health issues resulting from poor oral health. It can also help patients avoid expensive and more invasive dental procedures, including:
- Crowns
- Extractions
- Fillings
- Implants
- Root canals
“Rather than wait for a dental problem to develop before looking for a solution, preventative care aims to avert issues before they occur.”
When to see the dentist
Typically, patients should have regular dental check-ups about once or twice a year. However, every patient has their own needs. Some patients may need to visit the dentist more than twice a year. The number of appointments a patient needs to maintain oral health will depend on their health, habits, and medical conditions.
People who are at high risk of dental diseases may need to schedule appointments about every three months. This includes pregnant women, diabetics, smokers, and people with gum disease, a weak immune system, or are cavity-prone. Our team can determine the optimal appointment frequency for each patient.
“The number of appointments a patient needs to maintain oral health will depend on their health, habits, and medical conditions.”
The ins and outs of a dental cleaning
A routine dental cleaning represents a major component of preventative dentistry. It is also a good time to find out if there are teeth that could use additional attention while brushing or flossing. These appointments typically include a regular checkup with our dentist to examine the teeth, look for signs of oral cancer, and take any necessary X-rays.
A basic dental cleaning includes a physical exam of the entire mouth, which involves using a small mirror to check around the teeth and gums for any signs of inflammation or other concerns. Our staff will then use small scraping tools to remove plaque and tartar from around the gum line and between the teeth. This is followed by a thorough tooth cleaning using a high-powered electric brush and dental flossing. Patients will have their mouth flushed with water as needed throughout the cleaning process.
Deep cleanings use special techniques to get rid of plaque, tartar and bacteria below the gum line and down to the roots of the teeth. This type of cleaning helps prevent gum disease from advancing and causing tooth loss. Antibiotics, either in an oral form or as a gel or rinse, may be prescribed to help fight bacteria. As this type of cleaning goes below the gum line, a local anesthetic is used to numb the gums.
“A routine dental cleaning is a major component of preventative dentistry.”
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Healthy lifestyle choices are also an important part of preventative dental care. For example, eating a healthy and balanced diet can promote good oral health and hygiene. Eating a balanced diet provides essential nutrients to promote good teeth and gum health. Fruits and vegetables rich in fiber and dairy products such as cheese, yogurt, and milk are beneficial for oral health. We recommend limiting candies, sodas, and starchy foods that can get stuck in the mouth.
Other decisions that people can make to better their oral health include not smoking or getting oral piercings. Smoking results in more bacterial plaque, leading to gum disease. Infected gums cannot heal since smoking prevents a sufficient amount of oxygen in the bloodstream. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), smokers are twice as likely as non-smokers to develop gum disease. People should also avoid oral piercings since complications are relatively common. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), oral piercings can foster periodontal pathogenic bacteria and significantly increase infection risk.
“Eating a balanced diet provides essential nutrients to promote good teeth and gum health.”
Questions answered on this page
Q. What do routine and deep cleanings involve?
Q. Why is preventative care important?
Q. When should I see the dentist?
Q. What lifestyle choices help promote good oral health?
Q. What are some preventative care options to consider?
People also ask
Q. What should a home oral care routine include?
Q. What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of dental sealants?
Q. Can sealants protect against cavity-forming bacteria?
Q. What is the difference between a dental checkup and a dental cleaning?
Preventative care options to consider
Besides routine dental check-ups and cleanings, some other preventative care options to consider are dental sealants, fluoride treatments, and X-rays. Dental sealants are thin plastic coatings that act as a protective shield against debris and bacteria. Sealants are especially beneficial as a preventative measure for children to prevent cavities and decay on permanent molars.
Fluoride treatments can come in the form of gel, foam, or varnish. They strengthen the enamel and prevent cavities from forming. X-rays provide highly detailed images of the teeth, gums, and supporting tissues to prevent certain dental problems. Our team can use them to check for gum disease, examine developing teeth and surrounding structures, and look for cavities.
“Besides routine dental check-ups and cleanings, some other preventative care options to consider are dental sealants, fluoride treatments, and X-rays.”
Frequently asked questions
Fluoride treatments can happen with a brush, cotton swab, rinse, or mouth tray. It takes about 30 minutes for teeth to absorb the fluoride treatment and repair microscopic cavities. Patients will need to refrain from eating or drinking anything during this time.
Yes. While X-rays involve the use of radiation, the levels are very minimal. They are safe for both children and adults.
While brushing and flossing are essential, it is sometimes difficult to thoroughly clean the rough surfaces of some teeth. The premolars and molars are especially susceptible to decay and cavities for this reason. Dental sealants form a protective coating over rough surfaces to shield teeth from cavities and decay.
Preventative dental care is very important for children. While primary teeth are not permanent, they play a significant role in the proper emergence of adult teeth. Preventative dental care can help children protect their teeth for a lifetime of good dental health.
The cost of preventative dental care will depend on the patient's dental insurance. Insurance plans often cover preventative dental treatments. People should contact their insurance provider for more coverage information.
Dental terminology
Tooth decay is when the enamel of the tooth begins to decay and cause erosion from plaque and tartar on the teeth.
Dental caries are also known as cavities and result from a lack of proper oral hygiene leaving plaque that forms tiny holes in the teeth.
A dental checkup is an appointment that involves cleaning the teeth, identifying any signs of infection and removing said signs of infection at least once every six months in the office.
A dental filling involves restoring the structure of the tooth by using metal, alloy, porcelain or plastic to fill the tooth.
A dental prophylaxis is a professional and detailed cleaning that involves the removal of plaque, calculus and stains from the teeth.
Dental sealants contain a resinous material that we apply to the chewing surfaces of the posterior teeth to prevent dental caries.
A dentist, also known as a dental surgeon, is a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases and conditions of the oral cavity.
Enamel loss can result from multiple health issues including tooth erosion and occurs when acids slowly wears away the enamel.
Gingivitis is the inflammation of gum tissue that results from plaque, other infections in the mouth and poor oral hygiene.
An oral cancer screening can be a part of a regular dental checkup with a professional checking the gums and face for any signs of oral cancer.
Periodontitis is a condition that occurs when inflammation of the gums surrounding the teeth causes the gums to shrink and loosen the teeth.
Preventive dentistry is the dentistry that focuses on maintaining oral health in order to prevent the spread of plaque, the formation of tartar and infections in the mouth.
Secondary health problems require the treatment of a specialist in a specific field instead of a general dentist to receive more than just a regular checkup.
Tartar forms when plaque builds up on the surface of the teeth and calcifies into a hard surface that is much more difficult to remove and will require professional treatment.
Schedule your preventative visit today
If it's been some time since you've scheduled preventative dental care, call us at 858-748-2101 for more assistance to start the journey to better oral health.
Individual results vary. How long a treatment lasts, and how it looks and feels, depends on each patient.