Maintaining A Healthy Mouth And Body
The health of your mouth affects the health of your whole body. Branin Center for Dentistry knows that an infection in your mouth can affect the rest of you.
Today, more than ever, we know that your overall health is at greater risk if your mouth is not healthy. Dental diseases can increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, and diabetes.
As the old saying goes, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”, and that’s certainly true with your smile and dental health. Your smile can last you a lifetime if you floss and brush regularly and follow necessary preventive care.
Preventive dental care not only protects your teeth, it’s also essential to your overall health, which is the main focus of quality preventive dentistry. There are many factors that can contribute to the decline of oral health, which is why it’s important for you to practice good oral hygiene.
Regular check-ups are also very important to prevent the onset of tooth decay, infection, and disease. Even if your teeth or gums are on the verge of developing damage or disease, this can be stopped (and even reversed in some cases) as long as you get the proper diagnosis and treatment right away. As some of the most respected dentists in the region, Branin Center for Dentistry has earned the trust of its patients.
Be Proactive With Your Dental Health
Being proactive is the key to a healthy smile and avoiding serious dental procedures. Brushing and flossing at home helps get rid of germs and bacteria, but it isn't enough to protect your smile. No matter how great your flossing and brushing are, plaque and tartar buildup still occur.
That is where preventive dentistry at Branin Center for Dentistry fits in. Regular visits for the following general dental services will help you maintain your oral health.
Dental Cleanings
Dental cleanings (Prophylaxis), which is a basic cleaning procedure, is an integral part of preventative dentistry. Unlike regular cleanings, an extensive cleaning is more complete, which removes plaque, calculus, tartar, stains, and other particles in your mouth, especially in the hard-to-reach areas.
Both basic cleanings and extensive cleanings are vital to prevent the development of cavities or gum disease, which can save you from having to need restorative dentistry or even losing teeth.
During your first visit with Branin Center for Dentistry, we will evaluate which type of cleaning is best for you as well as suggest how often you should schedule your prevention appointments.
Digital Dental X-Rays
It’s impossible to prescribe effective preventive dental treatment without accurate diagnostic tools, which is why Branin Center for Dentistry uses only advanced digital dental x-rays.
The advantages of digital dental x-rays include faster diagnosis, less radiation, and image adjustment tools to better evaluate the x-rays.
Comparing digital x-rays to the older film x-rays, the radiation exposure is reduced by at least 50% and the images can be viewed on the computer screen in a matter of seconds. Digital dental x-rays can be enlarged for better visibility, electronically stored for easy access to previous images, and conveniently email to you or another specialist as needed.
Dental Sealants
When a tooth is on its way to developing a cavity, a simple solution to protect the tooth from further damage is with the application of a dental sealant.
Dental sealants are clear plastic coatings that are applied on the chewing surfaces of your teeth to prevent cavity formation. The procedure is quick and can be done immediately after diagnosis since there is no drilling of enamel or dentin involved.
Sealants are usually undetectable to the naked eye, which is a great benefit if you want people to notice your smile and not your dental work.
As long as you continue to practice proper dental hygiene and visit your dentist regularly, the applied sealant should last between 5 to 10 years before reapplication is necessary.
Fluoride Treatment
Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that helps fight tooth decay by strengthening the enamel of your teeth.
The mineral can be found in drinking water, toothpaste, and mouthwashes, so it should be easy to get the fluoride you need for everyday use.
However, depending on the state of your teeth, you may benefit from an intensive fluoride treatment at the time of your cleaning to reinforce your enamel and protect your tooth structure from decay.
Since your dental condition is unique, along with your eating habits and genetic tendencies for cavity formation, during your exam Branin Center For Dentistry will discuss the benefits of fluoride treatment, if needed.