Preventive Care Specialist

What is preventive dentistry?

Preventive dentistry is an aspect of dental care that protects your oral health and helps prevent dental disease. With regular preventive dental care, you can prevent and ensure early detection of conditions, such as: 

• Cavities
• Periodontal disease
• Gingivitis 
• Abscess 
• Impacted teeth 
• Misaligned teeth 
• Teeth grinding 

Regular preventive dental care helps decrease your risk for tooth loss, severe infection, premature tooth wear, and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) damage. Preventive dentistry helps protect not only your oral health, but your overall health as well. 

What is involved in preventive dentistry?

When you are a patient at Beacon Dental Center, comprehensive preventive dental care includes: 

• Regular dental exams
• Pediatric dental care
• Periodontal cleanings 
• Digital X-rays 
• Annual or biannual teeth cleaning
• Oral cancer screenings
• Fluoride treatments 

Dr. Zhang creates a personalized preventive dental plan that fits your needs, dental history, and oral health risks. She may recommend you have regular preventive dental care every three to six months, depending on your overall health. If your dental exam identifies any oral health concerns, she develops a holistic treatment plan for you.  

When should I begin preventive dental care? 

Preventive dentistry can benefit patients of all ages, no matter your stage of oral health. Infants as young as a year old may benefit from regular dental exams, and it is never too late to begin regular preventive dental care.

Those at the highest risk for having poor oral health are those with high sugar or generally poor diets, who smoke or use tobacco, or who drink alcohol excessively.  

If you have a history of gingivitis, periodontal disease, tooth loss, or any dental or oral disease, it is essential you receive regular preventive care. 

What can I do to prevent dental complications? 

You can protect your dental health by:

• Brushing teeth twice a day
• Eating a healthy diet
• Replacing your toothbrush every three months
• Flossing at least once a day after brushing 
• Scheduling regular dental exams 

If you have any dental pain, bleeding gums, sores that won’t heal, or signs of infection, it’s essential you make an appointment for a dental exam and to initiate treatment. Timely treatment of dental symptoms is also a necessary part of preventive dentistry.  

For expert preventive dentistry, call or schedule an appointment online with Beacon Dental Center today.