Preventative Care with Inverness Family Dentistry
At Inverness Family Dentistry, we believe that your smile is an important part of who you are. We also know that putting your best smile forward begins with preventative dental care.
Maintaining great oral health isn’t a one-time appointment. Preventative dental care is a series of regularly scheduled visits throughout the course of a person’s lifetime.
For over 30-years, our team has been dedicated to keeping patients on track through preventative dental care in Englewood. We understand that caring for your teeth is an integral part of your overall health, which is why we’re committed to making preventative dental care a priority for our patients.
The Importance of Regular Dental Checkups and Cleanings
A big part of our preventative dental care in Englewood revolves around regular dental checkups for patients. Dental checkups are important for patients of all ages and can start as early as when a child gets their first tooth. From here, preventative care appointments and dental cleaning should happen once every 6-months.
A thorough dental exam and dental cleaning are part of a standard checkup. Our highly trained and certified dental staff work in tandem with Dr. Pasternak to make sure every patient receives top-quality care.
Daily brushing and flossing routines are vital to maintaining good oral health. That said, scheduling regular preventative dental care appointments keeps patients ahead of the curve when it comes to removing build-up on teeth that can’t be removed with a toothbrush.
During the course of a dental cleaning in Englewood with Inverness Family Dentistry, a patient’s teeth, gums, and mouth are all closely examined. Our professional staff can easily recognize early signs of gingivitis as well as excessive plaque, calculus, and tartar buildup that can be detrimental to oral health over time.
While tartar and plaque buildup is normal on teeth and gums, excessive buildup can be problematic and lead to gum disease. At Inverness Family Dentistry, our team is skilled at removing this type of buildup using specialized dental tools and following up removal with a preventative coating of fluoride.
What to Expect During Your Dental Cleaning
Our dental checkups in Englewood include thorough dental cleanings that keep teeth at their very best. Before our team gets to cleaning, it’s important that we take x-rays to check for signs of underlying dental or periodontal disease that aren’t visible to the naked eye.
Once a patient’s x-rays are complete, our dental hygienists and dental assistants get to work cleaning each and every tooth. This process includes brushing as well as scraping away excessive tartar and plaque buildup. Flossing is the finishing touch before a fluoride application is placed as a protective barrier against future cavities.
Dr. Pasternak performs a full exam on patients after their teeth are cleaned. This exam provides a chance to check for cavities or any signs that point to gum disease or other dental issues.
At Inverness Family Dentistry, we welcome patients of all ages and stages of life to take part in our preventative dental care program. Seeing patients for regular checkups every 6-months gives our team the ability to create customized treatment plans for oral health to keep patients on track for success.
Whether we’re seeing a child on their first dental visit or an adult who comes in every 6-months, dental education is part of our service. We review dental care techniques from brushing and flossing to nutrition tips and tricks with patients to help them get ahead of cavities and other oral health issues.
Of course, teeth change just like people, and there are times when specialized care is required. When this happens, our team is here to help refer patients to specialists beyond the preventative care services we offer.
The Many Benefits of Regular Checkups and Preventative Dental Care
The importance of preventative dental care goes far beyond topical brushing and flossing. Having a professional exam your teeth, gums, and entire mouth for signs of oral health issues can keep patients ahead of potentially larger and more dangerous health issues.
While preventative dental care is a wonderful route to preventing common situations like cavities, dry mouth, and bad breath, it’s also an important step to stopping any gum disease before it can spread.
Diseases that begin with the mouth are commonly linked to more serious conditions such as heart attacks, diabetes, and even dementia. Regular checkups ensure that any changes related to the potential development of these conditions are noticed early-on.
When to See the Dentist
The American Dental Association recommends that patients see their dentist for preventative care checkups and cleanings every 6-months. This schedule keeps teeth clean while also allowing for enough time between checkups to see any changes that may have occurred.
While regular checkups are important, seeing a dentist can happen any time a patient notices something new, or uncomfortable. Feel free to visit the dentist whenever there are concerns around oral health from toothaches and bleeding gums to loose teeth and beyond.
Taking Care of Your Teeth Between Dental Checkups and Cleanings
Great oral health and a smile to match are easier to maintain when you make regular dental checkups and cleanings a priority. In between appointments, there are also plenty of steps patients can take to keep their teeth and oral health in top shape.
At every age, brushing your teeth twice daily is essential to maintaining high standards of oral health. Flossing regularly helps to remove food and debris that can get stuck between the teeth and isn’t easily removed with brushing alone.
In addition to brushing and flossing, using mouthwash daily is a good step towards eliminating bacteria that develop in the mouth and can lead to gum disease over time. Many mouthwash brands contain fluoride which acts as a barrier against cavities as well.
Finally, sticking to a healthy and nutritious diet is important when you want to keep your oral health at its best. Limiting daily sugar intakes can help keep your teeth, gums, and mouth healthier in the long-term.
Reach out to Inverness Family Dentistry today to learn more about how to keep your smile looking great and your oral health on point through preventative dental care.