Smile Bright: Exploring Preventive Care in General Dentistry
Every infant, child, teen, and adult can benefit from routine cleanings and exams. During these appointments, a hygienist removes tartar and plaque to prevent decay and gum disease.
These services are covered by most health insurance plans. But there’s even more that general dentists in Las Vegas can provide to help patients maintain their oral health and avoid serious problems.
General dentists play a crucial role in educating patients about proper oral hygiene practices and helping them establish habits that contribute to long-term dental well-being. Additionally, they may coordinate with specialists when more complex dental issues arise, ensuring comprehensive and personalized care for each patient. Overall, general dentistry is foundational in promoting overall oral health and preventing more serious dental problems.
Dental Fillings
Dental fillings are one of the most common general dentistry treatments that fall under preventive care. They are used to repair a damaged tooth, usually due to decay. A dentist uses various materials, including silver amalgam, porcelain, plastic, and composite resin to repair the tooth.
It is essential for patients of all ages to practice proper oral hygiene, brushing twice daily and flossing at least once each day. This can help prevent gum disease, tooth decay, and other serious oral health issues.
Visiting the dentist for regular dental cleanings and exams is also important to keep your smile healthy. These visits are required for most patients two times per year. During these appointments, the dentist can inspect for signs of decay, apply dental sealants, and administer fluoride treatments to promote optimal oral health.
Dental Sealants
Sealants are safe plastic resins that flow into the deep grooves and pits on the chewing surfaces of molars and premolars. This prevents bacteria, plaque, and tartar from building up in these areas, and the chewing surfaces are less prone to decay.
Dental sealants are most commonly used on children’s teeth to help them avoid cavities, but adults can also benefit from the protective shield. People with special mental or physical challenges that make consistent oral hygiene difficult may also benefit from this preventive treatment option.
Before applying the sealant, the teeth are thoroughly cleaned to remove plaque and debris. Then, the tooth is isolated and kept dry to ensure proper adhesion of the sealant material. During regular checkups, the dentist examines the condition of the sealants and will reapply them if necessary.
Teeth Whitening
In addition to professional teeth cleanings and routine exams, preventive dental treatments include x-rays to discover hidden problems and oral cancer screening. These procedures also include the instruction and practice of a healthy brushing and flossing routine.
Teeth whitening (also known as bleaching) lightens the color of natural tooth enamel to whiten smiles. It's a cosmetic procedure that can be used to remove tooth discoloration caused by coffee or tobacco use, injury, age-related stains, ingestion of antibiotics like tetracycline and certain metals from crowns and fillings.
The whitening procedure may cause sensitivity for some people, especially those who have receding gums from gingivitis or too-vigorous brushing. A new technique uses a mouth guard to protect the soft tissue while bleaching and can reduce sensitivity. The dentist may also recommend toothpaste, mouthwashes, or over-the-counter whitening gels that contain less bleaching agent to avoid sensitivity.
Every infant, child, teen, and adult can benefit from routine cleanings and exams. During these appointments, a hygienist removes tartar and plaque to prevent decay and gum disease. These services are covered by most health insurance plans. But there’s even more that general dentists in Las Vegas can provide to help patients maintain their oral…