Prevention is the Best Treatment
Prevention is always the best treatment when it comes to your dental health. Not only does it save you time and money, but it also helps you maintain good oral health and a beautiful smile. At Gentle Family Dentistry, Bakersfield preventive dentist Dr. Jonathan Garger and our team understand the importance of preventive dentistry and we strive to educate our patients about the benefits of maintaining good oral hygiene.
What is Preventive Dentistry?
Preventive dentistry refers to the measures taken to prevent dental problems from occurring or becoming worse. This includes regular dental exams, oral cancer screenings, dental cleanings, and the use of mouthguards. Preventive dentistry is important because it can help your dentist detect dental problems early on when they are easier to treat. It can also help your dentist prevent serious oral health problems from occurring in the first place.
The Benefits of Preventive Dentistry
There are many benefits to practicing preventive dentistry, including:
- Early Detection of Dental Problems: Regular dental exams can help detect dental problems early on before they become more serious and more difficult to treat.
- Improved Oral Health: Good oral hygiene practices, such as brushing and flossing regularly, can help improve your oral health, prevent dental problems from occurring, and even protect your overall health as well.
- Save Money: Preventive dentistry can help you save money in the long run by preventing dental problems from becoming more serious and more expensive to treat.
- Maintain a Beautiful Smile: By practicing good oral hygiene and getting regular dental exams and cleanings, you can help maintain a beautiful smile.
Our Preventive Dentistry Services
At Gentle Family Dentistry, we offer a range of preventive dentistry services to help our patients maintain good oral health. These services include:
Dental Exams
Regular dental exams are an essential part of preventive dentistry. During a dental exam, Dr. Garger will examine your teeth, gums, and mouth for any signs of dental problems. We will also take X-rays to check for any problems that may not be visible during the exam.
Oral Cancer Screenings
We offer oral cancer screenings as part of every oral exam to detect any signs of abnormal tissue or growths in the mouth. Our experienced preventive dentist will examine the lips, tongue, cheeks, gums, and throat, as well as the roof and the floor of the mouth using special tools. Early detection is crucial for successful treatment, and we recommend that our patients receive an oral cancer screening at least once a year, or as part of their routine dental exam.
Dental Cleanings
Regular dental cleanings are another important part of preventive dentistry. During a dental cleaning, our dental hygienist will remove any plaque or tartar buildup from your teeth, focusing on areas that a toothbrush and floss are likely to miss. They will also polish your teeth to remove any surface stains.
Mouthguards
Mouth guards are an important preventive dentistry tool for athletes or those who grind their teeth at night. Mouth guards can help protect your teeth from grinding and trauma and prevent serious dental problems such as tooth loss and TMJ from occurring.
Frequently Asked Questions
Practicing good oral hygiene, such as brushing and flossing regularly, and getting regular dental exams and cleanings can help prevent dental problems from occurring. It can also help to rinse between meals so sugar and particles don’t get stuck to your teeth.
Many dental insurance plans cover routine exams and cleanings as preventive services. However, it’s important to check with your specific insurance plan to understand your coverage and any out-of-pocket costs. If you’re uninsured or underinsured, talk to your preventive dentist about financing options.
Our preventive dentist recommends getting a dental exam and cleaning every six months to maintain good oral health. However, depending on your pre-existing oral health, they may recommend that you visit more often.
No, preventive dentistry is important for patients of all ages. It’s especially important for children and teenagers to establish good oral hygiene habits and receive regular dental checkups and cleanings to prevent cavities and other dental issues. We offer preventive dentistry services for patients of all ages.
Keep Your Smile Healthy Year-Round, Call Us Today!
If you’re looking for preventive dentistry services in Bakersfield, CA, look no further than Gentle Family Dentistry. Dr. Garger and our team of dental professionals are dedicated to helping you maintain good oral health and a beautiful smile.
Gentle Family Dentistry serves Bakersfield and surrounding areas such as Gosford, Alameda, and Lakeview, CA. Contact us today at 661-664-9900 or fill out our contact form to schedule a preventive dentistry appointment. We look forward to helping you keep your smile healthy and stunning year-round!