Why is Preventive Care Important?

At our dental practice, we focus on preventing oral issues before they begin. This type of care is important because it protects you from the harmful effects of dental problems, like tooth loss from gum disease. During your preventive dental care appointment, your friendly dentist will perform a checkup to see if your mouth looks healthy, an x-ray to look for problems in your teeth, and a professional cleaning to freshen your mouth.

Most importantly, Dr. Casey and her educated hygienists will assess your cavity risk. With this risk assessment, many oral hygiene practices can be implemented, such as rinsing with water after a coffee to reduce your overall cavity risk. It is important to talk to your dentist about ways you can improve your oral hygiene practices, which in turn will improve your overall health.

What Happens During a Professional Dental Cleaning?

During a dental cleaning, your hygienist will use scalers to remove plaque and calculus (tartar) followed by an electric toothbrush and a gritty toothpaste to polish your teeth. This will provide a deeper clean than your regular toothbrush. Once the plaque is removed and your teeth are clean, you’ll finish with a professional flossing and an exam by the dentist to review x-ray and clinical findings. An oral cancer screening is performed within the exam.