Incorporating Preventive Measures Into Your Dental Routine

Oral health is essential to your overall well-being, and maintaining healthy teeth and gums is vital to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. However, preventive dental treatments can also be crucial in maintaining optimal oral health. In this blog post, we discuss 6 preventive dental treatments that can help keep your teeth shining bright and your gums healthy. These treatments can range from routine cleanings to more advanced procedures and can help prevent serious dental issues from developing. By incorporating these preventive measures into your dental routine, you can ensure that your oral health is in the best possible shape.

What You Need to Know About Preventive Dentistry Near Boise, ID

At Staley Dental, we offer adult and pediatric preventive dental services that can help keep your teeth and gums healthy. These services include the Diagnodent Laser, sealants, fluoride treatments, digital x-rays, professional dental cleanings every six months, and oral cancer exams. Let’s explore each of these in further detail.

1. The Diagnodent Laser detects hidden tooth decay in its earliest stages.

The Diagnodent Laser is a powerful tool for detecting hidden tooth decay in its earliest stages. This innovative technology is used by the team at Staley Dental to accurately expose tooth decay without scratching, probing, or otherwise damaging the tooth enamel. Using a low-power laser, the Diagnodent Laser measures the fluorescence of a tooth, helping us identify decay before it becomes visible to the naked eye. By catching decay early, Dr. Staley can address the issue before it becomes more severe, potentially leading to more extensive treatments.

2. Sealants provide an added layer of protection for the back teeth.

Sealants provide an added layer of protection for the back teeth, covering the rough grooves of the chewing surfaces and preventing cavities in one of the most common places. Dental sealants have been used since the 1960s and have proven highly effective in preventing decay. Dental sealants have been shown to reduce the incidence of tooth decay by up to 80% in molars.

Sealants comprise a thin, plastic coating applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth, creating a barrier between the tooth and harmful bacteria. Staley Dental offers sealants for children and adults as part of our preventive dental services.

3. Fluoride treatments offer benefits to both children and adults.

Fluoride treatment is essential to preventive dentistry, offering numerous benefits for both children and adults. According to Colgate, fluoride treatments help to strengthen tooth enamel, making it more resistant to decay. This is especially important for children, whose teeth are still developing and may be more vulnerable to decay. Children should have an application of fluoride professionally twice a year during dental checkups to help protect their teeth from cavities.

Fluoride treatments can also help reverse the early stages of tooth decay, preventing the need for more extensive dental work in the future. Fluoride can also reduce sensitivity and promote healthy tooth development by replacing essential minerals, such as calcium and phosphorus, that may have been lost due to acid erosion.

4. Digital x-rays make dental appointments faster.

Digital x-rays are just one of the cool things available through modern dental technology. By using an electronic sensor to capture and store digital images on a computer, your family dentist in Boise, ID, can instantly view and enlarge the images, allowing for a more accurate diagnosis of potential issues.

Digital x-rays significantly reduce radiation exposure too, with up to an 80% to 90% reduction compared to traditional x-rays. This makes them a safer and more environmentally friendly option for patients. At Staley Dental, we utilize digital x-rays as part of our preventive dental services, providing our patients with a more accurate and comfortable experience during their dental exams.

5. Professional dental cleanings remove stubborn plaque.

Even with regular brushing and flossing, stubborn plaque can build up on teeth, leading to gum disease and tooth decay. During your professional dental cleaning, we use special tools to remove plaque and tartar from the teeth, especially in hard-to-reach areas. This helps to prevent the formation of cavities and gum disease. Additionally, a dental cleaning includes a polish, which removes surface stains and gives the teeth a brighter, cleaner appearance.

6. Early detection of oral cancer saves lives.

An oral cancer screening is a quick and painless examination that can detect the early signs of oral cancer. During a regular dental check-up, your dentist can perform this screening by examining your mouth, tongue, and throat for any abnormal growths or lesions. Early detection of oral cancer can significantly improve the chances of successful treatment and survival rates.

In addition, many risk factors for oral cancer, such as smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, can be addressed during a dental check-up, allowing for early intervention to reduce the risk of developing oral cancer to begin with.

Schedule your next preventive dentistry exam with Staley Dental.

Maintaining excellent oral health requires a combination of good oral hygiene at home and visits to your dentist every six months. At Staley Dental, we are committed to providing our patients with the highest level of dental care, using the latest technology and techniques in preventive dentistry. From the Diagnodent Laser and dental sealants to fluoride treatments and digital x-rays, our goal is to help our patients maintain healthy teeth and gums for a lifetime.

If you’re due for your next dental check-up, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with our experienced team.