Preventive Dentistry

Preventive dentistry is dental care that helps you maintain good oral health. All dentistry is intended to give you a healthier smile, but there are certain measures that your dentist takes and that you take at home that add up to solid preventive dentistry. At New Orchard Dentistry, it is our privilege to help our patients establish and keep healthy teeth and gums.

Professional Preventive Dental Care

At your dental visits every six months, you know your teeth are getting cleaned, but are you aware of just how thoroughly your mouth is being taken care of?

Here is what happens at teeth cleanings and exams:

• Thorough removal of plaque and tartar
• Brushing and flossing
• Examination for potential cavities
• Careful check for early signs of gum disease
• Oral cancer screening

Along with these efforts, routine digital X-rays are taken every six months, or as insurance allows, so your West Bloomfield dentist gets an even closer look at the state of your oral health. Some cavities and infections and problems are obvious to a dentist’s trained eye. Other problems require more in-depth review for diagnosis.

For the youngest patients, fluoride treatments are administered at every check-up, but some adults qualify for this treatment too. Fluoride is a natural mineral that prevents cavities by building strong teeth. Sealants are also child-focused. Once permanent molars have erupted, sealants are carefully applied to the biting surface of the tooth to protect those fresh teeth from bacteria and decay.

It’s important to discuss all your oral health concerns with your dentist during your exam so issues can be addressed before they become full-blown problems that require bigger interventions like a filling, root canal therapy, or otherwise.

At-Home Preventive Dentistry Measures

You have a role in preventive dentistry – it’s not all up to your West Bloomfield dentist. If you want to get that gold star and a compliment from your dental hygienist every six months, be the patient who brushes and flosses diligently at home.

Every person plays a major role in their own preventive dental care, and that includes developing healthy dental habits that help reduce the likelihood of decay and gum disease.

Here’s what you should be doing at home every day for preventive dental care:

• Brush twice a day, morning and night, using a soft-bristle brush and fluoride toothpaste
• Floss daily to remove food from in between teeth before it turns to plaque
• Avoid foods that are harmful to tooth enamel, like acidic beverages and fruits
• Be careful when eating hard foods that could damage teeth if bitten, like nuts, ice, or foods with seeds
• Use a mouth guard for contact sports
• Get fitted for a night guard if you grind your teeth at night
• Don’t smoke or use any tobacco products that could increase the chances of oral cancer

Some people never learned how to properly brush their teeth – but it’s never too late. If you think you’re doing it wrong, if you know you need a better technique, ask for instructions and help.

There are a lot of oral health products on the market. Your dentist and hygienist are happy to make recommendations about the best brushes, electric or otherwise, as well as dental floss, mouthwash, and toothpaste.

Get Preventive Dentistry in West Bloomfield

At New Orchard Dentistry, our teeth cleanings and exams are thorough and careful – they’re also like nothing you’ve ever experienced before. We have state-of-the-art technology to make your visit enjoyable and fast. Enjoy a virtual reality tour while you get your teeth cleaned, or gaze at a laser light show on the ceiling. Listen to music or enjoy a massage chair.

You guide your dental visit, and we are happy to help you maintain good oral health for a lifetime. Contact New Orchard Dentistry to schedule your next check-up.

When you choose New Orchard Dentistry in West Bloomfield, cleanings and exams are like none you have ever experienced before. We understand that getting your teeth cleaned isn’t always enjoyable at other offices, but here, it is. take advantage of our state of the art technology. Enjoy a virtual reality tour or a laser light show on the ceiling, listen to music, or enjoy a massage in our massage chair. Or, you can opt to just have a pleasant conversation with one of our friendly hygienists. Your smile will be clean and polished in no time!