Preventative Dental Care: Specialized Treatments

Preventative dental care refers to all the ways you can maintain the health of your teeth and gums, which will ultimately help prevent more severe issues down the road. One great way to provide this type of care is through treatments, including scaling and root planing, periodontal therapy, and laser gum surgery. The following are just some of these treatments, along with information on why they’re beneficial for your oral health.

Fluoride therapy

Fluoride is a mineral that naturally occurs in water sources. It’s also found in many dental products, including toothpaste and mouthwash. Research shows that drinking fluoridated water can reduce tooth decay by about 25%. Drinking fluoridated water is especially helpful for children whose teeth are prone to cavities. If you don’t drink tap water or if your city doesn’t add fluoride to its drinking supply, consider investing in a fluoride supplement.

If you’re concerned about cavities, particularly in your children, try fluoride therapy. Not only does fluoride help reduce tooth decay by strengthening teeth against acid attacks, but it also helps prevent additional damage from occurring after a cavity forms. Fluoride is easy to access and affordable and can be found in drinking water and toothpaste. If you don’t drink tap water or if your city doesn’t add fluoride to its drinking supply, consider investing in a fluoride supplement.

Orthodontics

One of the latest and most popular forms of preventative dental care is orthodontics. Orthodontic treatment can not only improve your oral health, but it can also change your life. Correcting poor bite and facial structure through braces and other orthodontic devices can help you feel more confident and successful in all areas of your life. At your dentist, they work in all aspects of preventative dental care, including treatment for gum disease and tooth decay. They’ll work with you to create a customized treatment plan that helps ensure your oral health for years to come.

Anti-cavity rinses

If you’re concerned about cavities and want to help minimize your chances of developing them, an anti-cavity rinse is a good option. An anti-cavity rinse often contains fluoride and can be purchased over the counter at most pharmacies and grocery stores. When used regularly (twice a day), it helps strengthen tooth enamel and lessen your chances of getting cavities by coating and protecting vulnerable teeth. After brushing, rinsing with plain water is another easy way to prevent cavities—it washes away leftover particles from brushing, so they don’t linger on your teeth.

Sealants

In cases where a tooth is likely to experience repeated decay, a dentist may apply a sealant. These clear coatings can help prevent cavities from forming on teeth by sealing off pits and fissures that are hard to reach with regular brushing and flossing. Sealants can last up to several years but need to be applied every 2-3 years (and after significant chipping) for them to remain effective. Sealing treatment should always occur at least six months before other dental procedures. Sealing treatment should always happen at least six months before other dental procedures. Aside from root canal therapy or bridges, dental fillings are among the most common treatments undertaken today.