Preventive Dentistry – Clute, TX

Keeping Cavities and Gum Disease Away

As the name suggests, preventive dentistry is all about services that help you avoid diseases. Our teeth are fairly vulnerable to bacterial infections, dental decay, cavities, gum disease, and other issues. That’s why it’s especially important to take care of them. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that you should visit the dentist for preventive dentistry services at least once every few months. Some of the most popular preventive dentistry treatments include dental cleaning, scaling and polishing, and general dental checkup. Please contact us or continue reading for a detailed overview of our available options for preventive dentistry in Clute at Woodshore Family Dentistry.

Why Choose Woodshore Family Dentistry for Preventive Dentistry?

  • Variety of Dental Specialties in One Location
  • State-of-the-Art Dental Technology
  • Focus on Excellent Customer Service

Dental Checkups & Teeth Cleanings

Woman talking to her dentist about preventive dentistry in Clute

Regardless of how well you brush and floss your teeth, you can’t remove all the tiny traces of food particles that may be stuck between your teeth or over your gumline. People who have misaligned or crooked teeth are even more likely to get food particles stuck in their mouths. Over time, these food particles turn to a white, sticky substance called plaque. And if you allow plaque to persist, it can harden into a substance called tartar that’s impossible to remove manually without professional intervention. The accumulation of plaque and tartar invites bacterial decay, which, in turn, leads to dangerous issues like gingivitis and periodontitis, which can seriously damage your teeth.

That’s why teeth cleaning regularly is necessary. Professional teeth cleaning is a set of services provided by professional dentists or dental hygienists. The dental hygienist first removes all of the food particles, plaque, and tartar from your teeth. If there are pockets between your gums and teeth, they smoothen the roots to reattach gums to the teeth. And finally, they use a series of fluoride treatments to get rid of all the bacteria and protect your teeth from bacterial infection.

You should go for professional teeth cleanings every 3 to 6 months to ensure that your teeth remain perfectly healthy.

Learn More About Dental Deep Cleanings

Oral Cancer Screenings

Close up of a mouth with some red spots between teeth

If you don’t smoke, you might think you don’t have to worry about oral cancer. Unfortunately, this dangerous disease can affect anyone regardless of their risk factors, and it becomes far more difficult to treat if it’s not identified in time. At your regular checkups, we can perform a quick screening for oral cancer symptoms such as discolored patches or unusual lumps; we’ll let you know if we find anything concerning and help you arrange for a biopsy if necessary.

Learn More About Oral Cancer Screenings

Fluoride Treatment

Young girl receiving fluoride treatment in dental office

Teeth that are regularly exposed to fluoride are stronger and less likely to develop cavities. This is a major reason why fluoride is a key ingredient in ADA-approved toothpaste and why it is added to public drinking water in most areas. If we find that your teeth have an unusually high risk for cavities, we may recommend a quick fluoride treatment at the end of your checkup. The process of applying fluoride to your teeth is fast and painless, and you can rest easy knowing that your teeth will be a bit safer until your next visit.

Nightguards for Bruxism

Person holding a dental nightguard in their hand

Bruxism is another word for involuntary grinding and clenching of the teeth during sleep. Untreated bruxism is often the culprit for severely worn down or damaged teeth, and it will only continue to harm your smile until you take steps to address it. We can give you a nightguard that has been custom fitted just for you for the best possible fit and protection. This simple oral appliance keeps your upper and lower rows of teeth separated to prevent them from directly harming each other.

Learn More About Nightguards for Bruxism

Benefits of Preventive Dentistry

Smiling woman leaning over back of chair to face the camera

Preventive dentistry is useful and necessary for everyone, but especially for children. Children have weak baby teeth, and they suffer from a lot of complications during their transition into adult teeth, which is why preventive dentistry is especially necessary for them. These are some of the benefits of preventive dentistry:

  • You don’t suffer from issues like cavities and gum disease because it keeps your mouth free from bacteria, plaque, and tartar.
  • If there are some weaknesses in your teeth, the dental hygienist will detect them and recommend measures to strengthen your teeth, such as through dental crowns.
  • By preventing bacterial infection, you can also prevent other secondary diseases like diabetes, osteoporosis, respiratory issues, cancer, etc. You can’t completely prevent them only by observing oral hygiene, but you can limit their likelihood.
  • It also helps with a smooth pregnancy and minimizes the chance of premature birth.

Preventive Dentistry FAQs

What are the various tips regarding preventive dentistry?

What kind of treatment is provided by preventive dentistry?

What can I do about my receding gums?

Preventive dentistry mostly consists of a few oral hygiene habits — brushing and flossing regularly, rinsing your mouth, eating a nutritious diet, and regularly going for preventive dentistry checkups.

The most popular preventive dentistry treatment is scaling and polishing, during which the dental hygienist thoroughly cleans your mouth and removes all accumulated plaque and tartar.

Root planing is generally the recommended treatment for those who are suffering from receding gums. This is a procedure in which the dentist smooths the roots of your tooth so they can be reattached to your gums. It also helps treat periodontitis.