Jowett & Lewis Family Dentistry offers a variety of preventative treatments to help keep your smile healthy and bright. Preventative dental care is focused on maintaining your oral health by taking steps to prevent common dental problems. By helping to maintain your oral health and minimize the severity of dental problems, preventative dentistry also helps to prevent the need for invasive restoration procedures. Some common preventative dental treatments include: regular dental checkups, professional teeth cleanings, fluoride treatments, dental sealants, and addressing minor problems such as tooth sensitivity, bleeding gums, and white spots on the teeth.
Did You Know?
Preventative dental treatments are sometimes referred to as “prophylaxis”, which means “an action taken to prevent disease, especially by specified means”.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Do I need preventative dental care?
Yes! Everyone can benefit from preventative dental care, regardless of their age. Preventative dental care is especially beneficial for those who want to avoid invasive dental procedures. To establish a preventative dental treatment plan that works for you, schedule a consultation with one of our dentists at Jowett & Lewis Family Dentistry today.
What types of preventative dental care does Jowett & Lewis Family Dentistry offer?
Jowett & Lewis Family Dentistry offers the following preventative treatments:
Fluoride
Fluoride helps prevent tooth decay by remineralizing the surface of your teeth and strengthening enamel to resist acid attacks from bacteria in food and drink. Demineralization of the enamel is the first sign a cavity may develop. By remineralizing tooth enamel, fluoride treatments can reverse cavities before they form.
Teeth Cleanings
A dental cleaning removes plaque and tartar from your teeth in order to prevent cavities and gum disease caused by bacteria buildup around your teeth. Plaque forms when food particles combine with saliva, forming sticky substances that adhere to the surfaces of your teeth; this substance contains large amounts of bacteria that can lead to tooth decay and gum disease if not removed. Dental cleanings are usually done by a dentist or hygienist.
Dental Checkups
A thorough examination by an experienced dentist can help identify potential problems, such as tooth decay and gum disease, before they become serious and costly. This is why we recommend that everyone schedule a visit every six months (or sooner if you have any symptoms). If you want to make sure your smile stays healthy and bright, call Jowett & Lewis Family Dentistry today!
Dental Sealants
A dental sealant is a thin plastic coating that’s applied to the chewing surfaces of teeth, usually in the back of the mouth where it’s difficult to reach with a toothbrush. Sealants work by filling in deep grooves or pits on these chewing surfaces, thereby preventing food from getting stuck there and causing cavities.
Will I need to follow any special instructions after receiving preventative dental care?
During your preventative care appointment, your dentist will discuss any oral health concerns they noticed during your exam. Depending on their findings, they may provide you with special instructions to follow until your next appointment. Otherwise, you will only need to continue brushing twice a day and flossing daily.
