Preventive Dental Care Can Go a Long Way toward Safeguarding Your Teeth and Gums

Preventative dentistry focuses on keeping your teeth and gums healthy, as well as catching and dealing with problems before they can develop into something potentially serious. In addition to taking good care of your oral health on a day-to-day basis at home, Cliff Broschinsky, DDS and our care team at Avalon Dental of San Ramon, California, recommend that you come into the office for regular preventative dental care appointments. At these checkups, we can adjust your dental hygiene routine, look for emerging issues, and recommend procedures and products to keep your teeth and gums in great shape.

Preventative dental care at home

Your everyday dental care routine makes a big difference in the health and strength of your teeth and gums. You should brush at least twice daily, and floss every day. Developing good oral health care habits in childhood can create a lifetime pattern of effective preventative oral care. By taking good care of your teeth and gums at home, you can prevent conditions including:

• Cavities and tooth decay
• Gum disease, gingivitis, and periodontitis
• Enamel wear and damage

Preventative dental care doesn't just protect your mouth. Because your mouth acts as a gateway to your body, buildups of harmful oral bacteria can eventually enter your bloodstream. Poor oral health heightens your risk for several serious conditions, including diabetes and heart disease. Keeping your teeth and gums clean and strong will help to maintain your whole-body health, as well.

Preventative dental care by a professional

The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends visiting your dentist regularly for preventative treatment, at least once a year and typically more frequently, often twice a year. Our care team at Avalon Dental can recommend the right frequency of appointments for you given your dental health care needs. Keeping these regularly scheduled dentist appointments will go a long way toward keeping your oral health strong.

When you come in for a preventative or check-up appointment, we:

• review your dental hygiene practices and correct your brushing or flossing technique for the most effective cleaning.
• check for emerging problems like cavities or early-stage gum problems.
• check any fillings, crowns, or bridges for wear or damage.
• provide a thorough cleaning, removing buildups of dental plaque and tartar from your teeth.
• recommend products that might help your dental health, including specialty toothpastes and gear like night guards or alignment systems.

For children, we can also apply dental sealants and topical fluoride to strengthen young teeth for lifetime oral health.

To schedule a preventative care treatment at Avalon Dental, call us at 925-267-8547 to make an appointment, or book using our online tool.