Your first defense against poor oral health, is by brushing and flossing regularly, yet there is much more to preventing major dental problems. Preventative dentistry allows your dentist to help you fight plaque and tarter build-up and keep your teeth healthy and strong. At Maine Family Dental Practice, our goal is to help our patients in the Bangor, ME area avoid major dental concerns such as tooth decay and gum disease.
Preventative Dentistry
Cleanings and Exams – Even those who brush and floss every day and have healthy teeth need to see their dentist at least once a year. Brushing and flossing can still miss hard to reach spots and when plaque isn’t removed, it calcifies into tartar, which cannot be removed with brushing and flossing alone. During your cleaning, your dentist will remove the tartar build-up before it can cause more serious problems such as tooth decay and gum disease. Your dentist will also check for early signs of these and other dental concerns.
X-rays – When gum disease isn’t treated, it can start to cause the gums to recede and bone loss. X-rays will allow your dentist to get a clearer picture of what your oral health looks like under the gums so they can catch early signs of periodontal disease, impacted wisdom teeth, and cavities.
Orthodontics – Preventative care is especially important in younger patients as they begin to get their first teeth. Starting them off young means your dentist can keep an eye on how their teeth are growing in and whether they will need orthodontic care. Getting your children orthodontic care sooner than later will help them with their speech development and reverse misalignments before they get out of hand.
Mouth guards – Many people grind and clench their teeth at night, which can cause severe jaw pain, chips and cracks in your teeth, and headaches. Your dentist should be able to tell if you are suffering from bruxism and can treat it with a mouth guard to prevent further damage.
Fluoride Treatments – Fluoride can help make the enamel of your tooth stronger and more resistant to tooth decay. Getting fluoride treatments will make your teeth healthier and keep them safe from bacteria when you are in between visits.
Importance of Dental Visits
Preventative dentistry can not only save you a lot of time and pain, but will also keep your hard earned money in your pocket. Extensive oral damage can be costly to repair, and in some cases the damage cannot be reversed. If you would like more information about preventative dentistry, please contact Dr. Travis Buxton and his team at Maine Family Dental Practice.
