The Extreme Importance of Preventive Dental Care

Preventive dentistry is an oral care approach where our San Diego dentist offers specific services aimed at preventing common dental ailments such as gum disease and cavities. Ideally, preventive visits will give you the tools and resources you need to keep your smile healthy for a lifetime. Because preventive dentistry in Downtown (San Diego) is readily available to more people than ever before, the generational cycle of tooth loss and denture-wearing is gradually being broken altogether.

What is Preventive Dental Care?

If you’re wondering, “What is preventive dental care?” it usually falls into the following categories of dental services:

Dental Exams/Checkups—It’s best to see our Downtown San Diego dentist for a checkup every six months. During these visits, we can pinpoint minor issues while they’re still in the reversible stage. Like gingivitis before it becomes gum disease (leading to tooth loss) or weak enamel before a cavity forms. Then we’ll give you the information you need to intercept those issues ASAP before they get any worse.

Prophylactic Teeth Cleanings—Preventive dental cleanings remove all the buildup from your teeth and gumlines that accumulate between checkups. By cleaning away plaque and tartar, you’ll have a blank slate to work with once you head back home. Plus, we’ll polish your teeth to remove surface stains, leaving you with brighter, fresher teeth. Prophylactic cleanings are a must-have if you’re hoping to avoid gum disease and tooth loss.

Periodontal Screenings—Periodontal (gum) disease is the #1 cause of tooth loss in San Diego adults. During your cleaning, we’ll evaluate gum levels to see if there are any areas where the tissues are detaching from your tooth surfaces. Then we’ll make you aware of those points in your mouth so that you can adjust your hygiene plan before bone loss or tooth mobility develops.

Good Oral Hygiene—Yes, brushing and flossing are key elements of your preventative dental care routine. You need to brush for at least two minutes twice a day and then floss at least once a day. Flossing cleans between teeth and just under the edges of the gums, where your toothbrush doesn’t reach. You can also use a water flosser if that’s easier.

Dental Sealants and/or Fluoride Treatments—Last but certainly not least, fluoride and dental sealants offer a final line of defense against dental disease. Sealants block out bacteria and food debris in the deep grooves on your back teeth, while fluoride remineralizes weak enamel to make it more cavity resistant.

Most Dental Problems are Preventable

Common dental conditions like periodontal disease and tooth decay can usually be prevented. Especially when you see a dentist regularly. The importance of preventive dental care may not be immediately evident, but it will be in the future.

For example, during your preventive care visit, our San Diego dentists routinely screen for issues like gingivitis, enamel demineralization, and gum recession. When we pinpoint the early warning signs you can stop these issues from getting worse or possibly reverse them altogether.

In the case of tooth demineralization, we can help you modify your oral hygiene routine, apply fluoride, and remineralize that surface. Otherwise, the area will continue to weaken over time until a physical hole (cavity) forms in your tooth several months later.

The importance of preventive dental care is functional, holistic, and better for your wallet!

How Often Should I Schedule Preventive Care Appointments?

People with healthy teeth and gums tend to do best when they schedule preventive dental visits twice a year or every six months. And the good news is that if you already have dental insurance, your preventive services are usually covered at or close to 100%, giving you an added incentive to schedule regular checkups. But even if you don’t have dental insurance, paying for preventive dental care saves you money when you think of the potential oral health conditions you’re preventing.

Preventive Dentistry | San Diego

At AlignBar, we offer complete preventive dentistry (San Diego) to keep you smiling in the years ahead. If you’re due for a checkup or slightly behind on your cleaning appointment, now is the best time to call. Contact us today to schedule.