You’ve probably heard “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” and that’s definitely true in dentistry.  Once you lose tooth structure and supporting bone, it doesn’t grow back! Luckily by working with your dentist and hygienist and maintaining regular checkups, most people can keep their teeth for a lifetime.  Examples of preventative dentistry include:

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•                 Regular “Prophylaxis” Cleanings: plaque, which is the bacterial biofilm that forms on teeth, is the cause of cavities and gum disease.  When left on your teeth it mineralizes and hardens into calculus or tartar buildup which can’t be removed by your toothbrush. By regular removal of plaque and tartar by your hygienist and an effective at-home oral hygiene routine, most problems can be avoided.

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•                 Sealants:  sealants are thin, tooth colored bonded resins placed in deep grooves of back teeth and molars to prevent cavities from forming in pits where plaque likes to collect and the tooth brush bristles can’t reach.  These are commonly placed on children’s teeth as they’re more prone to these types of cavities, but are sometimes appropriate for adults too.

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•                 Replacing faulty restorations and eliminating food traps: Old restorations with overhangs or ledges and spaces that trap food very often lead to gum disease or cavities on the roots.  Identifying and addressing these problems makes it much easier to keep teeth healthy.

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•                 Oral Cancer Screenings:  With all exams an oral cancer screening is done to identify any suspicious lesions that could be dysplasia or oral cancer.  Oral cancer is rare but very serious, but when caught early the prognosis is much better.  Anytime you notice a bump or ulcer in your mouth that doesn’t go away after two weeks, have a dentist or medical professional evaluate it. 

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•                 Remineralization: A quickly developing field of dentistry, remineralization is aimed at restoring softened, demineralized enamel before it breaks down into a true cavity and increasing acid resistance and enamel hardness.  This can be done through in-office fluoride varnish treatments, at-home remineralization products and other remineralization products.  

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•                 Occlusal guards/night guard:  Grinding your teeth while you sleep or “bruxism” can cause major damage to your teeth, making them chipped and worn or shorter, sensitive, and can cause cracks that lead to tooth loss.  Some patients get jaw joint or TMJ pain too!  A good fitting custom occlusal guard or night guard protects your teeth and alleviates symptoms.