Quality Preventive Dentistry in Reno, NV
Preventive dentistry is the area of dentistry aimed to help people prevent oral disease and its further development. Preventive dentistry includes not just in-office dental care, but at-home treatments as well.
Some examples of at-home treatments include:
- Regular brushing– the American Dental Association (ADA) recommends brushing two times a day and directly after meals, when possible.
- Regular flossing– the ADA recommends flossing at least once a day.
- Rinsing with anti-bacterial mouth wash– recommended after each brushing
Proper brushing is essential in preventative dentistry. The proper way to brush your teeth is to use a soft nylon toothbrush with round-ended bristles. Next both the tooth surface and the gum line should be brushed by placing the brush at a 45-degree angle along the gum line and brushing gently in a rolling back-and-forth motion on the surface of the teeth. When brushing you should cover the inner surfaces of your teeth and then tilt the brush in order to brush the front teeth. The ideal brushing technique also involves the brushing of the tongue. Brushing should last until all teeth a gum lines have been thoroughly brushed.
A dental cleaning is a professional cleaning you receive from a dentist or dental hygienist. Cleanings should be performed every six months to prevent excessive plaque buildup. In between regular visits to the dentist, there are simple steps that each of us can take to greatly decrease the risk of developing tooth decay, gum disease and other dental problems. During your routine cleaning we will remove excess plaque and polish your teeth. Also, daily preventive care, including proper brushing and flossing, will help stop problems before they develop. In between regular visits to the dentist, there are simple steps that each of us can take to greatly decrease the risk of developing tooth decay, gum disease and other dental problems. These include:
Brush and Floss
Something easy you can do to maintain good oral hygiene is brushing your teeth twice a day, and floss at least once a day. Forgetting to include this in your daily routine can lead to tooth decay, gum disease, and a myriad of other dental issues. Staying up on your brushing and flossing can ensure that your smile stays white and your breath stays fresh. Even more so, it will save you time and money down the road!
Healthy Lifestyle
One thing often missed in maintaining good oral hygiene is living a healthy lifestyle. The food and drinks you consume on a regular basis are a huge factor in your teeth’s health. So make sure to eat a balanced diet and limit snacks between meals. You should also make sure to visit your dentist every six months so they can make sure teeth and gums are healthy.
Good Oral Hygiene
Some ways to check if you have good oral hygiene is to see if you teeth are clean and free of debris, if your gums are pink and do not hurt or bleed when you brush or floss your teeth, and if bad breath is a constant problem. If you have any of these symptoms, you can always start on your way towards good oral hygiene and visit us for any more suggestions.
Fluoride
Fluoride is often called nature’s cavity fighter and for good reason. Fluoride, a naturally-occurring mineral, helps prevent cavities in children and adults by making the outer surface of your teeth (enamel) more resistant to the acid attacks that cause tooth decay. You should use dental products that include fluoride, such as a mouth rinse after you brush. Even your toothpaste should contain fluoride. Children should also have fluoride, in the form of under 1 drink fluoridated water, or a fluoride supplement.
Non-Surgical Gum Treatment
With proper gum treatments, it may be possible to return gum tissue to a healthy state. If you’re having a problem, come in and see us so we may treat it right away. The treatment usually involves a deep cleaning or root planing done under a local anesthetic, along with local antibiotic agents. It is important to have gum problems checked promptly, as gum disease left alone may eventually need treatment through surgery or extraction.
We use digital imaging software in our office, which allows us to take a digital picture of you and use our imaging system to predict how a particular treatment or cosmetic procedure would change the appearance of your teeth. This software is beneficial for patients who are considering cosmetic procedures but are not sure if they’re ready for dramatic changes. Digital imaging also allows us to document your dental case and procedures very well.We take digital images of your face, teeth and smile to provide us with a permanent dental record and to provide a visual documentation of treatment.
X-rays are a focused beam of x-ray particles passed through bone which produce an image on special film, showing the structure through which it passed. This provides the familiar black and white images doctors and dentists use to diagnose problems and disease. In our office, we use digital radiography which allows us to take x-rays using up to 90% less radiation than conventional film x-rays.
Custom designed mouthguards and nightguards are made of flexible plastic and molded to fit the shape of your teeth. If you have decided a guard is right for you,we will take an impression of your teeth which will then be sent to a lab to make a custom fit guard. In most cases you can choose from a variety of colors and styles. On average, guards last between 3 and 10 years.
If you are a tobacco or smokeless tobacco user, you are in primary danger of developing oral cancer. More than 8,000 deaths were attributed to oral cancer in the past year. We are committed to the prevention of oral cancer through early identification of pre cancerous conditions, and provide oral cancer screenings at each preventive care appointment.
Sealants are used to fill narrow grooves in a tooth that cannot be adequately cleaned by brushing. In some cases, the tooth structure has fine grooves or pits which accumulate plaque. To avoid cavities developing over time, the dentist will brush on a coating that seals the grooves and pits, making it possible to brush off all the plaque and keep your teeth healthy.
TMJ stands for the temporal-mandibular joint. Problems in this joint may be caused by a misalignment of the teeth, trauma, or excess muscle tension. Dental treatments for the condition can include replacing missing teeth, moving teeth, adjusting the bite and filling gaps between teeth. Occasionally a plastic mouthpiece is used to prevent clenching or grinding that is contributing to the problem. If untreated and in severe cases, surgery may be required to repair a badly damaged joint.