What is Preventative Dental Care?
Preventative dental care is the act of caring for teeth to keep them healthy. Routine preventative dental care can help children avoid cavities, gingivitis, periodontitis, enamel wear, space deficiency and more. Our office provides a number of preventative services.
Fluoride
Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that aids in cavity prevention. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) affirms that fluoride is a safe and effective adjunct in reducing caries formation. Topical application of fluoride is recommended for all children at risk for cavities.
Dental Prophylaxis
Also known, as a professional dental cleaning is the removal of plaque, stain and calculus from the patient’s teeth. A dental prophylaxis should be completed twice per year, and/or as advised by your dental provider.
Pit and Fissure Sealants
Pit and Fissure sealants are materials placed in the pits and fissures of the teeth and help reduce the risk of caries in predisposed pits and fissures. Dental sealants are important because studies show that 80-90% of cavities in permanent posterior teeth and 44% in primary posterior teeth occur in the pits and fissures. Sealants are most commonly placed after the eruption of the first and second permanent molars. The first permanent molar erupts at age six and the second permanent molars erupt at age 12.
Space Maintenance
Premature or early loss of a primary tooth can occur due to caries, trauma, or other reasons. The loss of a tooth can lead to unwanted tooth movement of adjacent and/or opposing teeth. Space maintenance is recommended to prevent undesired tooth movement following early loss of a tooth and to maintain the space for the adult tooth.
Silver Diamine Fluoride
Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) is an antimicrobial liquid substance used to help prevent tooth cavities (or caries) from forming, growing, or spreading to other teeth. SDF is a non-invasive, safe and painless alternative to traditional cavity drilling procedures. It is commonly used for patients that are very young, fearful and who have not yet developed the ability to cooperate for traditional dental procedures. Although, Silver Diamine Fluoride helps to stop the progression of decay, it does not eliminate the need for dental fillings or crowns to repair esthetics.
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