4 Preventive General Dentistry Treatments

Preventive dental care started early in life can lead to excellent overall oral health throughout your life. It helps identify and prevent oral diseases like tooth decay, cavities, gum disease, and oral cancer. At Alencar Family Dentistry, we focus on providing comprehensive preventative dental care to ensure your teeth remain as healthy as possible and treat any developing conditions promptly. 

Teeth Cleanings & Exams 

At our Chesapeake dental office, we recommend you have your teeth professionally cleaned at least twice a year. This enables us to remove the plaque that accumulates on your teeth. 

Most of the time, it can be difficult to clean the challenging areas of your mouth despite efficient brushing. Therefore, there is always a risk of plaque and tartar accumulation in these areas. Removing plaque through regular cleanings can help prevent cavities and improve your oral health. 

Regular dental exams also allow us to monitor your oral health closely and identify problems in their initial stages so that we can take preventive measures to reverse the condition.

Treating Gum Disease

Dr. Oliveira can help prevent and treat gum disease. If gum infections are not addressed, they can cause gum recession and lead to tooth loss. Gum disease can be treated and prevented by removing plaque and tartar beneath your gum line. An intensive cleaning called scaling and root planing will help eliminate hardened tartar and restore your gums. 

Oral Cancer Detection

Our preventive dentistry services include looking for early signs of oral cancer while cleaning and examining your teeth. It can be difficult to spot signs of oral cancer until the disease has advanced. We, therefore, check for any hard bumps, lumps, red and white spots, and rough patches during your teeth cleanings. If we detect these signs, we can refer you to a specialist for further testing.

Dental Sealants and Fluoride Treatments

If you have deep hollows on the chewing surfaces of your teeth, dental sealants will help reduce the risk of developing cavities. Sealants act as shields so food debris and plaque cannot become trapped, thereby minimizing the chances of developing cavities.

Fluoride treatments help prevent tooth decay and provide protection for your teeth. They work by strengthening the tooth’s enamel. Fluoride applications effectively prevent tooth damage by covering the tooth surface and not allowing plaque to accumulate and harden.

For more on preventive general dentistry treatments, contact Alencar Family Dentistry at (757) 546-0301 or visit us at 711 Greenbrier Pkwy Suite 101, Chesapeake, VA 23320.