Protect Your Smile With Preventative Dentistry
Many patients don’t prioritize their oral hygiene enough — in fact, some patients don’t even brush and floss their teeth every day. Without a proper oral care regimen, you’re putting yourself at risk for health problems, including:
Cavities/tooth decay- Gum disease
- Tooth loss
- Oral cancer
Excess bacteria in your mouth also increases your risk for heart attacks, strokes, diabetes, and other complications. Thankfully, Dr. Kovacevic and our team provide comprehensive dental care to help you maintain healthy teeth and a beautiful smile. Our preventative dentistry treatments will keep your oral hygiene in the best of health.
Hygiene Cleanings
We take pride in offering thorough hygiene appointments to all our patients — these visits typically include brushing, flossing, polishing, and scanning your teeth, in addition to examining your smile for any changes. It’s essential that you schedule these cleanings no less than every six months, so we can identify and treat any potential issues before it’s too late.
Gum Disease Treatment
When harmful bacteria get trapped under your gumline, this can lead to gum disease. Symptoms of gum disease include inflammation, redness, and bleeding. If you notice that your gums are bleeding when you brush your teeth, this is very likely an indication of gum disease and you should visit our office as soon as possible for treatment.
In its early stages, gum disease can be treated relatively easily with scaling and root planing, also known as a deep cleaning. The further your gum disease is allowed to progress, the more difficult it will become to treat, so it’s important that you don’t delay seeking treatment if you notice any symptoms.
Oral Cancer Screenings
Another important service we provide during regular check-ups is an oral cancer screening. Oral cancer is a deadly disease that can potentially be fatal. Common warning signs of oral cancer include discolored patches or unusual lumps appearing anywhere in your oral cavity. Without regular checkups, these signs can easily go unnoticed until it’s too late.
That’s why we use our Oral ID light sensor to detect any abnormal growths in your mouth. By catching these issues early, we can help to get you treatment right away and prevent the disease from advancing to a severe stage. If you notice anything suspicious at home, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with us right away.
Frequently Asked Questions About Preventative Dentistry
How can I improve my dental health?
In addition to participating in a regular oral hygiene routine of brushing twice daily, flossing every day, and rinsing between meals, you’ll want to schedule biannual appointments with our office for professional cleanings and checkups.
Here are a few detailed tips on how to improve your at-home oral hygiene regimen:
- Position your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle near the gumline
- Clean your tongue
- Protect your teeth with mouthguards if you grind or play sports
- Brush your teeth with a toothpaste containing fluoride
- Keep your gums strong with Vitamin D and calcium
- Avoid foods high in sugar or starch
Remember, prevention is better than a procedure. Some people wait to visit the dentist until something goes wrong, but it’s a much better plan to visit the dentist before that happens. With regular professional cleanings and checkups, we can help prevent tooth decay and catch any issues before they become problematic.
What is the process like for scaling and root planing?
Prior to a scaling and root planing procedure, you’ll likely receive a local anesthetic and won’t feel a thing. During the procedure, our dental hygienist will scale, or remove, all the plaque and tartar from your teeth and roots’ surfaces. During root planing, the root’s surfaces will be smoothed to keep plaque, tartar, and bacteria from invading beneath the gum line.
What causes you to lose your teeth?
There are various reasons we lose our permanent teeth. Some are preventable and sometimes it’s due to trauma. The most common cause for tooth loss in adults is periodontal disease, also called advanced gum disease, which accounts for 70% of tooth loss. Other reasons include tooth decay, bruxism (grinding), and misaligned teeth.
While it may be impossible to prevent some accidents, most causes of tooth loss can be prevented with proper oral care, professional cleanings, and regular checkups with Dr. Kovacevic.
If you have tooth mobility or have lost a tooth, schedule an appointment with Dr. Kovacevic by calling (724) 836-2433. During the appointment, he’ll examine your oral health and get to the root of the problem and provide you with solutions.
What happens if you lose a tooth?
Losing a tooth can be a traumatic experience and it can lead to bigger problems than merely having a gap in your smile. When you’re missing a tooth, that area is no longer stimulated by chewing forces. This leads to bone reabsorption or bone loss.
Over time, missing teeth can eventually cause your jaw to shrink and change the shape of your face and smile. Teeth tend to shift position to fill the gap, further damaging your smile.
Most causes for tooth loss can be prevented by brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing every day, and rinsing your mouth between meals. In addition to a regular oral hygiene routine, it’s important to schedule biannual professional cleanings and checkups with our office so we can make sure your dental health stays on the right track.