What to Know About Preventative Care From a Dentist in New York, NY

Oral diseases affect about 3.5 billion people around the world. With preventative dental care, you can minimize your risk. Otherwise, you could develop periodontal (gum) disease, tooth decay, or other oral health issues.

What is preventative dental care, exactly, and what services can you request from your dentist in New York, NY? Keep reading to find out.

After reading this guide, you can choose the services you need with your dental hygiene in mind. Improving your oral care can minimize the risk of future issues. You can avoid painful symptoms or expensive treatments in the future as well.

Put your dental health first this year! Read on to learn everything you need to know about preventative dental care today.

First, let's answer the question that likely brought you here: what is preventative dental care?

Preventative dentistry is the practice of prioritizing your dental health to ensure your teeth and gums remain healthy. You can talk to your dentist in New York, NY to determine which preventative dental services you need. In addition to dental health care services, you'll also develop an at-home care plan.

For example, your at-home dental care might involve:

• Brushing twice a day

• Flossing once a day

• Using the right toothbrush and toothpaste

• Scheduling appointments with your dentist every six months

These practices will help you maintain clean, healthy teeth. Otherwise, your risk of oral health issues could increase.

For example, failing to brush and floss twice a day can allow bacteria and saliva to form plaque. Plaque is a clear, sticky substance that can cling to the surface of your teeth. You can clean plaque away with regular brushing and flossing.

If you fail to follow preventative dental hygiene tips, however, plaque can form into tartar. You'll need to schedule a professional teeth cleaning to clear tartar away. Otherwise, bacteria will continue to spread.

Your risk of dental health issues like cavities or gum disease could increase.

About 13.2% of children and 25.9% of adults have untreated dental caries. Meanwhile, only 85.9% of children and 64.9% of adults visited a dentist in the past year.

Prioritizing your oral hygiene with help from your New York dentist can reduce your risk of complications.

Talk to your dentist in New York, NY about the preventative dental health services they provide. For example, their services might include:

• Professional teeth cleanings

• Fluoride treatments

• Oral exams

• Sealants

• X-rays

You can work with your dentist to develop a customized treatment plan based on your needs. Here's a bit more information about each preventative care service.

Teeth Cleanings

A dental hygienist will complete your professional teeth cleaning during a routine check-up. Your hygienist will use special instruments to remove plaque and tartar from your teeth. They might clean below your gum line, too.

Then, your hygienist will examine your teeth for potential signs of decay. If they notice any issues, they'll consult your dentist.

Your hygienist might floss and polish your teeth as well.

You can talk to your hygienist about assessing your gum tissue and periodontal probing, too. Probing involves measuring the depth of your gum tissue. Your hygienist will use a periodontal probe to determine the health of your periodontium.

Regular teeth cleanings will help you determine if you need to make changes to your at-home dental care.

For example, your hygienist might notice you need to brush and floss certain areas more. They might suggest a different toothbrush or toothpaste, too.

Improving your dental hygiene at home can minimize your risk of:

• Heart disease

• Diabetes

• Oral cancer

Your hygienist will search for signs of these issues during your routine cleaning.

Fluoride Treatments

Fluoride is a mineral that can help rebuild tooth enamel. Enamel is the protective surface of your teeth. Fluoride might help reverse early signs of tooth decay, too.

Ask your dental office if your insurance plan covers fluoride treatments. Regular fluoride treatments can prevent cavities from forming in the future.

Your hygienist will swab fluoride onto your teeth after your cleaning.

After they apply fluoride to your teeth, you'll need to avoid drinking or eating for about 30 minutes. During that time, your teeth will absorb the fluoride.

Consider scheduling a fluoride treatment every six to 12 months.

Oral Exams

Your dentist can complete an oral exam after your professional cleaning appointment. An oral exam can help you avoid dental diseases in the future.

Your dentist will look for signs of small cavities. They might recognize the early signs of gum disease, too.

Catching signs of potential problems before they develop can help you avoid complications. You can improve your oral care to minimize symptoms. For example, your dentist might detect early signs of oral cancer during an appointment.

If it's early in its development, your dentist can perform minimally invasive treatment. Otherwise, oral cancer can become deadly when left untreated.

Sealants

Sealants are thin, protective coatings designed to stick to the surface of your back teeth.

A dentist might suggest sealants to protect your teeth from cavities. Sealants can keep leftover food particles from impacting your oral hygiene.

X-Rays

Your dentist might suggest X-rays to diagnose potential dental health problems. X-rays will help your dentist:

• Spot cavities

• Examine your tooth roots

• Check the status of developing teeth

• Check for periodontal disease

Your dentist will determine if you need specific treatments, too.

What are the benefits of preventative dental care? You can:

• Reduce your risk of tooth decay, gum disease, or other dental issues

• Detect dental problems early on

• Promote good oral health habits

• Reduce dental issues related to chronic medical conditions

Make sure to brush and floss your teeth twice a day. Otherwise, schedule an appointment with your dentist every six months. Regular appointments will ensure everything is on track with your dental health.

Don't let dental health issues impact your quality of life. Instead, consider visiting your dentist in New York, NY. Their preventative dental care services can help you avoid potential problems in the future.

With help from your dentist, you can improve your oral hygiene for a brighter, healthier smile.

Ready to schedule your next check-up? We can't wait to see you!