Preventive Dentistry
Maintaining optimal oral health is essential for overall well-being. Our preventive care services, including regular cleanings, exams, and fluoride treatments, are designed to help you achieve and maintain a healthy smile for life.
Preventive Dental Services Periodic Exams and Cleanings
Oral health depends on optimal function of hard and soft tissues. Preventive care is the best approach for your oral health. Routine periodic exams, cleanings, and oral cancer screenings aim to detect and treat oral conditions in their initial stages. Early detection allows for more simple approaches and more predictable outcomes. At Brookline Family Dentistry we will address the condition of your soft tissues, teeth, gums, joints, and bite.
Routine dental exams are an essential part of maintaining good oral health. These exams, also known as dental check-ups or dental check-ups, are a comprehensive evaluation of your teeth, gums, and overall oral health. The American Dental Association recommends performing routine check-ups every six months, although your dentist may suggest a different schedule based on your individual needs and oral health status.
Here's what you can generally expect during a routine dental exam:
Oral Examination: The dentist will visually inspect your mouth, including your teeth, gums, tongue, cheeks, and roof of the mouth. They will look for any signs of dental issues, such as cavities, gum disease, oral cancer, or abnormalities.
Dental X-Rays (if necessary): X-rays provide additional information about the teeth and other oral structures. X-rays can help identify conditions that may not be visible during the visual examination, such as decay between teeth, bone loss, impacted teeth, or cysts.
Cleaning: A dental hygienist or dentist will perform a professional dental cleaning (dental prophylaxis). This process involves removing plaque, tartar (hardened plaque), and stains from your teeth. It helps prevent gum disease and keeps your teeth looking and feeling clean.
Gum Evaluation: The dentist will check the health of your gums and measure the space between your gums and teeth (gingival pockets). Gum bleeding, swelling and deep pockets and may indicate gum disease.
Oral Hygiene Instructions: The dentist or dental hygienist will provide guidance on proper brushing and flossing techniques and recommend any additional oral hygiene tools if needed.
Discussion of Concerns: This is an opportunity for you to discuss any dental concerns or problems you may have been experiencing since your last visit.
Treatment Planning (if necessary): If any dental issues are identified during the exam, the dentist will discuss potential treatment options and create a plan to address those issues.
Routine dental exams are crucial because they allow your dentist to detect dental problems early on when they are generally easier and less expensive to treat. Additionally, regular cleanings help prevent the buildup of plaque and tartar, reducing the risk of gum disease and tooth decay.
Remember, maintaining good oral hygiene practices at home, such as brushing twice a day, flossing daily, and eating a balanced diet, is also vital in between dental visits to support optimal oral health.
Nightguards
Teeth grinding and clenching causes tooth wear. The teeth, muscles, and joints are part of one system. Optimal and harmonious function of all these components is required for oral health. Conditions that affect teeth, muscles, or joints act on the system as a whole and will be carefully examined and treated as needed. At Brookline Family Dentistry we prepare custom-made nightguards to prevent tooth wear and allow for optimal jaw function.