Preventive Dentistry

What is preventive dentistry?

Preventive dentistry aims to protect your oral health now so you don’t need complex, costly treatments later. Preventive treatments like routine cleanings and patient education can help you avoid damage and decay that can affect your overall health.

Why is preventive dentistry important?

Keeping up with preventive care for you, your children, and your family is an essential part of managing your overall health. Without preventive dentistry, your teeth and gums can suffer damage and decay that can affect the rest of your health.

For example, gum disease — an infection of the gums — raises your risk of health complications like heart disease. Preventing gum disease at an early age lowers your risk of developing potentially serious health problems.

Preventive dentistry also helps you avoid expensive dental work in the future. Routine X-rays and teeth cleanings help identify and treat early signs of tooth decay and gum disease so you don’t need dental crowns, deep cleanings, and even dental implants later in life.

What are the different types of preventive dentistry?

The compassionate providers at Nunn Family Dentistry use a gentle touch to care for your whole family. Their goal is to protect your oral health during every stage of life. 

Some of the most common preventive dentistry services offered at Nunn Family Dentistry include:

Teeth cleanings

Nunn Family Dentistry recommends visiting for routine teeth cleanings once every six months. During these preventive visits, a registered dental hygienist uses special dental instruments to remove plaque, hardened tartar, and other bacteria from your teeth and gums.

X-rays

Dental exams typically include X-rays to assess the underlying structures of your teeth. X-rays can tell your dentist if you have decay beneath the gum line, bone loss, impacted wisdom teeth, and other concerning dental issues.

Dental exams

A full dental exam typically includes a teeth cleaning, X-rays, and an assessment of your mouth and jaw. Your dentist may also perform an oral cancer screening to check for signs of abnormal growths or slow-healing sores.

Patient education

How you care for your teeth at home is just as important as maintaining your routine dental visits. Nunn Family Dentistry can tell you the best ways to care for your smile to avoid tooth decay and gum disease.

To book your preventive dentistry visit, call Nunn Family Dentistry or schedule an appointment online today.