Our Preventive Dentistry services cover a wide range of areas including establishing good oral habits at an early age for your children and helping adults safeguard their teeth from future dental health related issues later on in life.
We regularly introduce new, modern technology into our dental practice to stay on the cutting edge of new research and help keep costs affordable for patients in Broward, Miami and South Florida. Your smile is beautiful; we want to keep it that way!
General preventive dental care tips
Below is the recommended daily regimen to promote a healthy smile is support of a healthy body. Cleaning and hygiene are key tools in helping keep your teeth white and healthy.
- • Brush your teeth twice a day with American Dental Association-accepted fluoride toothpaste.
• Replace your toothbrush every three or four months, or sooner if the bristles are frayed.
• Clean between teeth daily with floss or an interdental cleaner.
• Consider investing in an electric toothbrush.
• Visit your dentist regularly for professional cleanings and oral exams.
You should visit The Affordable Dental Center every six months. If you consider additional complications that may arise from pregnancy, periodontal disease, alcohol, tobacco use, HIV, halitosis and diabetes, even more frequent visits should be considered.
Here are some additional broad guidelines from the Florida Dental Association relating to regular check-ups:
Do you know that good oral health directly relates to good overall health? That’s why you should make it a priority to visit the dentist at least every six months. Regular visits allow your dentist to spot and treat potential problems before they become more severe.
Regular dental checkups usually include a cleaning. It is impossible to remove all plaque from your teeth by just brushing and flossing, so a dental hygienist or your dentist will use special equipment to clean your teeth. Without regular dental cleanings this plaque could eventually cause gum disease, cavities and other problems.
After the cleaning, your dentist will typically perform an examination of your teeth, gums and entire mouth. In addition to checking your teeth for cavities, your dentist also looks for signs of other problems like gum disease or oral cancer. Tell your dentist about any sores, swelling or discoloration that you find on your tongue, lips, cheek, throat, jawbone or palate.
Depending on your age, risk of certain dental issues and amount of time since your last dental visit, your dentist may recommend dental radiographs (See section further below). These X-rays can show problems that otherwise go unnoticed, such as impacted teeth or decay between the teeth. In Florida, if you haven’t had an oral examination in the last 13 months, your dentist is required to perform an oral exam before he or she is allowed to treat you.
Preventive Dental Technology
In addition to regular checkups, we have a number of tools and new technology to help augment our preventive dental care program.
Dental Sealants
The Affordable Dental Center offers various dental sealants, which act as barrier against decay-causing bacteria. They are usually applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth (premolars and molars) where decay occurs most often.
This plastic resin bonds into the depressions and grooves (pits and fissures) of the chewing surfaces of back teeth. The sealant acts as a barrier, protecting enamel from plaque and acids.
It only takes a few seconds to seal each tooth. While usually implemented for children, adults can benefit from dental sealants too.
Digital Radiography
Just like your take pictures with your cell phone, our digital x-rays take an image of your mouth which is automatically downloaded to our computers. This gives us 360-degree view of your upper and lower jaws, which allows us to quickly construct a map of your teeth and fix any issues. The amount of radiation from these x-rays is tiny compared to the exposure you get outside each day from cosmic radiation.
Digital radiographs allow us to detect:
- Small areas of decay between the teeth or below existing restorations (fillings);
- Infections in the bone;
- Periodontal (gum) disease;
- Abscesses or cysts;
- Developmental abnormalities;
- Some types of tumors.
Mouthguards
We offer advice on a variety of custom-fitted mouth guards based on our initial examination of your teeth. They are especially good for athletes or those who engage in high-impact sports such as football, hockey, basketball, hockey, volleyball and baseball. They cushion athletes against blows and help prevent chipped or broken teeth.
Nightguards
If you grind your teeth while sleeping, nightguards may help. They may also be affective in helping prevent temporomandibular jaw disorders or tension headaches. The habit called ‘bruxism’ or teeth grinding can affect sleep and result in jawache, headache and even earache.
Based upon a dentist’s diagnosis, a nightguard may be suggested that can be worn while sleeping. These are custom-fitted, made from a soft material to wrap around your teeth comfortably. It prevents contact with opposing teeth.
Halitosis or breath treatment
According to the American Dental Association, some people with bad breath aren’t even aware there’s a problem. If you don’t brush and floss daily, particles of food remain in the mouth, collecting bacteria, which can cause bad breath. Food that collects between the teeth, on the tongue and around the gums can rot, leaving an unpleasant odor. Products such as Tobacco may aggravate the issue. We can help you fight Halitosis and get your mouth healthy again.
ARESTIN® – fight gum disease
Bacteria below the gum line cause gum disease. This is regarded as the #! cause of adult tooth loss in Florida and the U.S. Many patients seek to ignore this issue, but if left unchecked it can have serious consequences. We can perform scaling and root planing (SRP), applying ARESTIN®, to help you treat moderate to severe gum disease.
FAQ: Preventive dentistry for children
Q: What is preventive dentistry?
A: According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, preventive dentistry means a healthy smile.
Q: What is preventive dentistry for children. Are there some specific guidelines?
A: Preventive dental care for children (and adults in general) includes:
- Proper nutrition and dietary habits
- Brushing and flossing
- Fluoride
- Regular dental check-ups
- Assessing risk for developing cavities
- Evaluating oral growth and development
- Oral health education
- Protection against injuries
- Management of oral habits
- Guidance of erupting teeth
- Sealants
Your pediatric dentist practices preventive dentistry. Preventive dentistry for children, in addition to regular dental visits, requires parental involvement with daily oral care at home.
Q: Why is preventive dentistry important?
A: Children with healthy mouths have a better chance of general health. Oral conditions can interfere with eating and adequate nutritional intake, speaking, self-esteem, and daily activities. Severe decay can affect growth and development. Children with dental pain may be unable to concentrate in school. A healthy mouth is more attractive, giving children confidence in their appearance. Finally, preventive dentistry can result in less extensive — and less expensive — treatment for your child.
Q: When should preventive dentistry start?
A: Preventive dentistry begins with the first tooth. Daily cleaning of the teeth should begin as soon as the first tooth erupts. Visit your pediatric dentist at the eruption of the first tooth or no later than 12 months of age to establish a dental home. Early dental visits are the foundation for a lifetime of good oral health. The earlier the dental visit, the better the chance of preventing dental disease and helping your child build a cavity-free smile.
Q: What role do parents play in prevention?
A: After completing a thorough oral examination and assessing your child’s risk for developing cavities, your pediatric dentist will design a personalized preventive program of home care for your child. This program will include brushing and flossing instructions, diet counseling and, if necessary, fluoride recommendations. By following these directions, you can help give your child a lifetime of healthy habits.
Q: How do pediatric dentists help prevent dental problems?
A: Tooth cleaning and polishing and fluoride treatments are all part of your child’s prevention program. However, there is much more. For example, your pediatric dentist can apply sealants to protect your child from tooth decay, help you select a mouthguard to prevent sports injuries to the face and teeth, and provide early diagnosis and care of orthodontic problems. Your pediatric dentist is uniquely trained to develop a combination of office and home preventive care to insure your child a happy smile.
If you have any questions about our Preventive Dentistry Services, Please use the following dental links:
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