With the advancements that preventive dentistry has made over the years, more people are able to save their winning smiles through innovative techniques and procedures. Research continues to grow that grants us a greater understanding of the issues that afflict our dental health, as well as provide us with the means to combat those afflictions. Even with advanced dental care, and the means to combat nearly every oral health issue known to us, your Fresno dentists, Dr. Alex Denes and Dr. Claudia Denes, understand and explain the importance of maintaining adequate preventive dental care.
Preventive Dental Care at Home
Many people may not connect brushing their teeth with an actual definition of dentistry, but the maintenance you perform at home with your toothbrush and floss is essentially a small part of preventive dentistry. Oral health issues such as tooth decay and gum disease begin with the bacteria that collect in your mouth and form dental plaque. At any given moment, your mouth plays host to over 600 different kinds of bacteria, and they continually inhabit your oral cavity. Streptococcus mutans is a bacteria that contributes to tooth decay by converting sugars and carbohydrates into lactic acid. This acid saps minerals from your teeth and attacks and weakens your tooth enamel, creating small holes in the enamel’s structure until it can no longer effectively protect your tooth from bacterial infection. By brushing your teeth at least twice a day, and flossing at least once, you can help control the accumulation of bacteria and lower your risk of developing tooth decay.
Preventive Dental Care at our Fresno Dental Office
Although a home oral hygiene routine may be classified as preventive dentistry, a toothbrush and floss alone are not adequate to properly prevent the onset of an oral health issue. Dental sealants can help protect your teeth from decay by coating the fissures on the chewing surfaces of your teeth and sealing them off from bacteria. While sealants are usually recommended for children and young teens, adult patients who show a proclivity for developing cavities may consider sealants as an option to prevent further decay and damage. Your dental checkup and cleaning, which you should attend at least every six months, is also an important preventive measure. During your checkup, your dentist is more likely to spot early signs of infection and disease than you are alone.
To learn more about preventive dentistry and your oral health, or to make an appointment with your Fresno family dentists, contact Fresno Dental Studio by calling (559) 297-1800. Located in the 93720 area, we proudly serve patients from Fresno, Clovis, Mendota, Orange Cove, Reedley, Selma, and the surrounding areas.