Preventative Dental Care
Preventative Dental Care
At Professional Lane Dental we want you to learn that with Preventative Dental Care can help with the health of your teeth and gums has a direct impact on your overall health.
Cavities left untreated can cause infection and abscesses.
TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint – the joint near your ear) dysfunction can cause headaches, neck and jaw pain, back and shoulder pain and more.
Periodontal disease (Gum disease) can cause tooth loss, bone loss and infection.
Recent studies in Preventative Dental Care have proven a more serious link between your oral health and your total health.
Preventative Dental Care has proved that the bacteria associated with gum disease can cause an increase risk in:
- Heart Disease
- Stroke
- Certain cancers, including pancreatic cancer
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Complications controlling blood sugar levels in diabetes
- Low birth weight babies
- Premature birth
Knowing this information about Preventative Dental Care, it’s more important than ever to take good care of your teeth and gums!
As the name suggests, the goal of preventive dental care is to help you avoid common oral health problems so you can maintain a healthy smile for life.
Many oral health issues are caused by an invisible film of bacteria in the mouth called plaque. Plaque sticks to your teeth and gums, consuming sugar and using it to produce an acid. This acid attacks your gums and enamel over time and can harden into tartar.
The good news is that you have the power to practice good oral hygiene at home and make sure you see your dentist every 6 months for preventive care.
Here are the 5 different types of preventive dentistry we offer at Professional Lane Dental.
1. Teeth Cleanings
You can remove plaque at home by brushing and flossing your teeth every day. But only a dental professional will be able to remove tartar. That’s why it’s important that you see us every 6 months for your routine teeth cleaning.
2. Oral Examinations
During your appointment, we may take X-rays so our dentist can examine your jawbones and other underlying oral structures. This allows us to detect any small issues before they have a chance to compromise your oral health.
For example, our dentist may see that a teenage patient has impacted wisdom teeth that need extraction before they crowd the rest of their teeth. Likewise, we may notice signs of bone loss in the jaw if a patient is missing several teeth.
Our dothan dentist will also examine your teeth and gums for any issues. You’ll also have the opportunity to ask our dentist any questions you may have about your dental hygiene.
3. Dental Sealants
A dental sealant is an invisible plastic coating that our dentist paints on the chewing surfaces of your molars (back teeth). While we typically recommend dental sealants for children, there’s no age restrictions for this procedure. This means that we’re more than happy to offer dental sealants for adult patients who may need the extra protection from cavities.
4. Oral Cancer Screenings
The estimates that 54,010 Americans will get oral or throat cancer in 2021. This means that you can’t afford to not get an oral cancer screening during your next appointment at Professional Lane Dental.
Certain factors will increase your risk of oral cancer, such as:
- Smoking
- Alcohol Overconsumption
- Excessive Sun Exposure on the Lips
- Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
- Family History of Cancer
Keep in mind that even if you don’t have these risk factors, you may still develop oral cancer at some point in your life.
In general, the average patient diagnosed with oral cancer is 63 years old. But people have been known to get oral cancer much earlier in life.
If you have any risk factors for oral cancer, be sure to let us know so they can make sure you get your routine .
5. Sports Mouth Guards
Do you play a contact sport, like football or boxing? If so, it’s important that you ask our dentist for a custom mouth guard.
Unlike the generic mouth guards you can buy at the sporting goods store, a custom guard offers the ultimate level of protection.
A custom sports mouth guard fits the unique contours of your teeth and gums. It also cushions any impact if you get hit in the face during a game or practice.
The last thing you need is a dental emergency interrupting your season. If you haven’t already, schedule an appointment with our office to get your custom mouth guard as soon as possible.
Call (334) 792 0997 or click here to Request An Appointment with Professional Lane Dental
