Preventive Dentistry
Counseling our patients on diet counseling and good oral hygiene is of the most important services we provide at Desert Foothills Dental. With exams and teeth cleanings at least every six months, you can avoid many dental problems.
What Are the Benefits of Preventive Dentistry?
Nobody wants to spend more time than necessary at the dentist's office, but it's not always about fear or anxiety; maybe you're concerned about the cost and how unexpected dental expenses will fit into your budget.
Investing a little time and effort in regular exams and teeth cleanings can minimize the need for other treatments and save on dental care. It's far better for your oral health to practice prevention than to wait until problems like gum disease and cavities take a long-term toll on your smile.
Recent research has shown that
What's Involved with Dental Prevention?
When you partner with your dental team, minimizing your risk for oral health problems is easy.
Proper Brushing and Flossing at Home
When was the last time someone checked how you are cleaning your teeth? The most common response we hear is "never" or 'I don't remember." You are responsible for your oral health 363 days a year, and what you do during that time is as crucial as any treatment we provide. The American Dental Association recommends brushing at least twice daily, flossing once, and avoiding processed and excessive carbohydrate (not just sugar) intake in your diet. It is just as important to remember that acidic foods break down tooth structure. A pH of 5.5 or lower can dissolve tooth structure. Check out our blog on diet, pH and the effect on teeth here.
Teeth Cleanings with Our Hygienist or Dentist
To be most effective, pair your at-home oral hygiene efforts with professional teeth cleanings with your hygienist every six months. These visits clear away bacteria-laden plaque and hardened plaque called tartar that you can't effectively remove at home.
Your hygienist and doctor also checks\ for signs of gum disease and recommends treatment and education on improving your oral hygiene as needed.
Comprehensive Dental Exams
Your teeth may feel okay, but that doesn't always mean there isn't a problem developing that you can't yet see or feel. Exams every six months allow our dentist to monitor you to ensure your teeth and gums are healthy.
We use intraoral cameras because they are a great educational tool for informing you about your dental needs. During your exam, our dentist moves the small digital camera around your mouth, and you can see the images on the TV monitor.
If needed, we will provide prompt treatment, which is easier than waiting until a problem becomes more complicated to treat.
We Make Dentistry Easy and Convenient
At Desert Foothills Dental, we want to motivate and inspire you to achieve excellent oral health. We do this by providing a friendly and welcoming office environment. We love building relationships with our patients, so they know they can always rely on us for supportive, non-judgmental dental care.
We also offer extended office hours and are open several days a week at 7 AM and stay until 7 PM. These hours are designed to fit your needs, so you can schedule appointments that fit your busy schedule.
