Preventative Dentistry
Family Dentistry That Goes Above and Beyond
Discover the Baton Rouge Dental Office That Gives You the Attention You Deserve
To help maintain good oral health, you must practice routine oral habits. You must take care of your teeth to help keep them healthy and stronger. That’s when preventative dentistry comes into play. In addition to taking care of your teeth at home, you must also schedule oral checkups with your dentist. O’Shee Family Dentistry offers preventative dentistry for the whole family to help you maintain oral health.
What is Preventative Dentistry?
Preventative dentistry entails practices that help you maintain oral hygiene. It involves taking care of your teeth through brushing and flossing to prevent cavities and tooth loss and visiting your dentist for regular dental checkups and treatments when necessary. Any threats to your dental health will be detected early and preventive measures recommended by your dentist. As a result, you will avoid longer appointments that may call for complex and costly dental procedures.
What Are Good Oral Health Practices?
To protect your teeth and boost your oral health, practice good oral habits such as:
- Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and an electric toothbrush (or soft brush)
- No eating after brushing at night, only drink water
- Rinse mouth with water or mouthwash after eating sugary foods
- Flossing once a day
- Eating a healthy diet
- Limit your intake of sugary foods
- Get a new toothbrush once the bristles are worn out or every four months
What are the Components of Preventative Dentistry?
While you play a key role in your oral health, taking care of your oral health requires the help of a professional dentist. Major components of preventive dental care include:
- Prevention: At O’Shee Family Dentistry, our board-certified dentist, Dr. Seth O’Shee, DDS, offers advice on best practices to help prevent tooth decay and other gum diseases. Prevention includes identifying dental problems early and offering treatment options before the condition escalates. Routine practices such as brushing and flossing also prevent the formation of plaque that may cause tooth decay and gum diseases.
- Oral Exams: Your dentist will clean and examine your teeth and gums to identify problems such as cavities and gum diseases. Dental x-rays may also be necessary to assess the condition of your teeth and identify any issues within your gums and teeth roots.
- Tests: Your dentist may recommend tests to assess your oral health. This helps identify gum diseases and teeth damage to determine the most appropriate treatment option.
- Diagnostics and Treatments: In addition to examining your mouth, your dentist will review your medical history to identify risk factors for gum diseases. If you are diagnosed with gum disease or have other dental problems, our dentist will recommend a treatment option that meets your unique dental needs.
What Preventative Dentistry Services Are Available At O’Shee Family Dentistry?
We offer a range of preventative dentistry services, including:
- Teeth Cleaning: We clean your teeth using the latest technology to remove plaque and tartar that may lead to tooth decay and gum diseases. Teeth cleaning also eliminates bad breath and improves your general oral health.
- Visual and Technology-Driven Oral Exams: Dr. O’Shee performs a complete oral exam to assess your teeth, jaw bones, and gums, then will assess your dental and medical history. An x-ray is also performed to identify dental issues that may not be seen through physical examination.
- Oral Cancer Screening: We are determined to help you enjoy oral health and enhance your smile at all times. That’s why we perform oral cancer screening to identify any potential signs and symptoms of cancer. If the screening shows any abnormalities, further testing may be necessary.
- Fluoride Treatment: Depending on your medical and dental history, our dentist will provide an individualized fluoride treatment to strengthen your teeth and minimize the risk of cavities.
- Sealants: We provide dental sealants to protect your molars. Our dentist will apply a thin coating on the chewing surface to prevent dental cavities and caries.
- Night Guards & Sports Guards: We want to ensure your teeth’ safety, whether in the fields or asleep. We offer night guards to help prevent teeth from grinding or clenching as you sleep. Sports guards protect your teeth from injuries while playing.
- Sleep Apnea Device: If you have sleep apnea, our dentist will recommend a sleep apnea device, such as a mandibular advancement device or tongue retaining device, to help keep your airways open as you sleep. How often should you visit a dentist?
You need to visit your dentist once every six months. However, you may have to schedule regular dental checkups if you have dental problems. During your first visit, your dentist will assess your mouth and may recommend several visits depending on your oral health.
Schedule Your Next Preventative Dentistry Appointment at O’Shee Family Dentistry
In addition to scheduling dental checkups, observing good oral health practices protects your teeth against cavities and reduces gum disease risk. At O’Shee Family Dentistry, we offer a range of dental services, including preventative dentistry in Baton Rouge, LA, to help keep your teeth strong and enhance oral health. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with our board-certified family dentist.