Proper preventive oral health care can save you time, money, and whole lot of stress in the long run. Getting ahead of potential dental problems is easier than you may think; today our Mill Valley dentists are going to be talking about why preventive care is so important, and what it might look like for you. Let’s get started!
The cornerstone of any preventive oral health routine is the semi-annual cleaning. Every six months our dental team will clear away plaque and tartar form your smile. Tartar in particular is very difficult for patients to remove at home, because it is bacteria that has calcified to the dental structure. Professional tartar removal will give you a fresh and clean smile, which you will then work to maintain until your next dental cleaning.
Additionally, as part of every professional cleaning, our team completes an oral cancer screening. It can be tough to spot signs of cancerous or pre-cancerous tissues at on your own at home. Regularly scheduled professional visits make it easier for our team to track any changes to your smile, and recommend prompt treatment, if necessary.
Supplemental preventive treatments go even further to protect your smile. Our dental team may recommend that you:
- Use specially formulated rinses or toothpastes to care for your smile at home
- Have sealants placed on vulnerable teeth so that it is more difficult for bacteria to cause cavities
- Complete fluoride treatments, which are designed to strengthen your natural enamel and minimize tooth erosion
- Get dental X-rays to give us a more complete view of what is happening with your smile
Even if it has been years since you have been in to see a dentist our Mill Valley dentists want to encourage you to get back on track with preventive dental care. Contact our team to learn more and to schedule a consultation—we are here to help you!