Improve Your Smile With Cosmetic Dentistry

5 Family Dental Preventative Services To Consider

13 April 2023 by Christy Long

A family dentist can protect the oral health of your entire family, regardless of age. Preventative care is a great choice for reducing the risk of decay and other complications. If you would like to know more, check out these five family dental preventative services to consider.

Sealants

While anyone may benefit from sealants, they are more common for children. Children may have a difficult time fully cleaning the small grooves on the molars. When the dentist applies a sealant, it protects the tooth from decay. Sealants are invisible and they wear off naturally over time.

Fluoride

Many dentists may recommend fluoride treatments for children, especially those without enough fluoride or those at high risk of tooth decay/enamel erosion. In children, fluoride helps create strong enamel, but adults can benefit too because fluoride also strengthens existing enamel. You may need fluoride as an adult if you have weak enamel.

General Exams

General exams typically start with a general cleaning to remove debris, tartar, plaque, etc. This better allows the dentist to look for possible complications, such as:

• Decay
• Thinning/weakening enamel
• Chips/cracks
• Gum inflammation/irritation
• Tooth infection
• Alignment/bite issues
• Oral cancer

Plus, getting rid of stubborn tartar further reduces your risk of decay since you can't brush away tartar at home. Depending on your age and/or the health of your gums, the dentist may also measure the space between the gums and teeth (pockets). Larger pockets increase the risk of tooth decay and may indicate gum disease.

Deep Cleaning

If you have receding gums and/or large pockets, you may need a deep cleaning, which can cause some discomfort. During a deep cleaning, the dentist cleans portions of the tooth below the gumline to reduce the risk of root problems. They may also smooth the area to make it harder for debris to cling. After a good deep cleaning and good oral health, your pockets may shrink.

X-Rays

X-rays are useful for a wide variety of reasons. In children, they help dentists see where permanent teeth will erupt to monitor for orthodontic issues. They may also be used to look for damage and decay on tooth roots. X-rays also show the tooth's pulp, making it easy to spot signs of infection.

If you want to better protect your family's oral health, preventative care is the best choice. Your insurance may even cover much or all of the cost. If you would like to know more, contact a family dentistry clinic in your area today.

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