What Does Preventive Dentistry Prevent?

Preventive dentistry is the most-often practiced branch of professional dental care, and mainly entails routine dental cleanings and comprehensive examinations. Unlike cosmetic or restorative dental services, prevention requires consistent attention, and begins with how well you manage your daily hygiene routine at home. Still, besides brushing and flossing your teeth at least twice a day, the most common dental health issues (like cavities and gum disease) can only be prevented with regular attention from your family dentist.

What Does a Dental Cleaning Accomplish?

Regular preventive dental visits are comprised of two main parts; your dental cleaning and your dental examination. During the cleaning, our hygienist will thoroughly clean every surface of your teeth, removing bacteria-laden plaque and its calcified form, tartar. If not removed routinely, the microbes can overwhelm your teeth and oral tissues, leading to tooth infections, gum disease, chronic bad breath, and more.

The Point of a Dental Checkup

In addition to cleaning your teeth, effective prevention also involves a careful examination of your teeth and oral structures, including your gums, throat tissues, jaw, and the structures and alignment of your teeth. Also, every dental checkup involves a professional oral cancer screening to inspect for abnormalities, like ulcers or lesions, that could be early signs of trouble. Depending on the results of your checkup, we can recommend an appropriate treatment, or refer you to an oral health specialist, if necessary.

What if Prevention Fails?

If your hygiene efforts fail, or if one or more of your teeth sustain damage, then we will consult with you to determine an appropriate course of treatment. If your needs are merely cosmetic, meaning they only affect your smile’s appearance (like teeth stains), then we can likely improve your smile without the need for extensive treatment. If the health and/or integrity of a tooth are threatened, then we can recommend a customized restorative procedure, such as a dental filling or dental crown.

ABOUT YOUR DALLAS, TX, FAMILY DENTISTS:

Dr. Tran, Dr. Hoang, and the friendly, welcoming staff at Gentle Smiles will do everything possible to make you feel at home. Contact us today by calling 972-329-7645 (972-329-SMILE) to experience our compassionate, effective, and individualized care. We proudly serve patients from Dallas, TX, and all surrounding communities, including Mesquite, Balch Springs, Garland, and Seagoville.