Preventative dental care is the best way to ensure you maintain a healthy and beautiful smile for life. Preventative care also helps to prevent dental issues from happening in the first place, or from getting worse if they are already present. For example, a simple cavity that requires a filling could result in needing root canal therapy when ignored for a long period of time, allowing the decay to eventually make its way into the nerves of the teeth. Preventative care is a collaboration between the patient and our dental staff, since a majority of the care is done at home with the help of bi-annual dental appointments.

When are Dental Cleanings Recommended?

Dental cleanings should be done every six months to ensure good oral hygiene and remove hardened plaque, also known as calculus, from the surfaces of the teeth. During a cleaning, Dr. Cohen will examine your gums for signs of gingivitis and gum disease. Next, scaling will be done to remove hardened plague from the teeth, which is virtually impossible to remove on your own. The teeth are professionally polished to ensure a shiny, clean and bright appearance. By visiting the dentist twice a year for cleanings, you can be sure that calculus buildup is kept to a minimum, which is beneficial for both tooth and gum health. Patients with gingivitis and gum disease may require a deeper cleaning known as a scaling and root planing.

How Often Should Exams and X-Rays Be Done?

During your bi-annual dental appointment, digital radiographic x-rays will be taken and evaluated to take note of any underlying dental issues, in addition to a thorough exam of the teeth and gums. The exam will detect any problems with decay, loose crowns or fillings, or other problems that need to be repaired or restored to maintain a healthy smile. You should have a dental exam and x-rays done twice a year as part of your oral care routine.

Proper Care at Home

While it is imperative that you visit us for your dental cleanings, exams and x-rays, most of your preventative care will need to be done at home. This involves twice-a-day brushing, daily flossing and following any additional instructions on how to properly maintain your smile. We can help to recommend products if you are struggling to find what works for your teeth, and we will help if you are unsure of how to properly brush or floss your teeth.