To maintain the long-term health and comfort of your smile and ensure the ongoing functionality of your teeth, a preventive care strategy is the cornerstone of any great dental practice. While cleaning the surface of your teeth and following a simple protocol are part of preventive care, the team at Prostho Endo Dental Group in North Bethesda, MD, goes further. They work with patients to identify current oral health problems, discuss how to keep their teeth, jaws, and gums in great shape, and address potential problems to the point where a small issue becomes a big concern.
Oral Health Evaluations & Assessment
The most important step in preventive dental care is gaining an accurate assessment of your current oral health condition. During a comprehensive examination and risk assessment, our team will assess the quality of your oral health. A complete assessment goes beyond looking at your teeth and includes a detailed evaluation of your gums, the alignment of your bite, your history of previous dental work, jaw joint function, habits in your daily life, medications, and risk factors.
Not everyone has the same needs. Even if you and another patient may look as though you have the same teeth, one person may have a tendency towards gum disease while the other has problems with cavities, for example.
Stay Ahead Of Dental Problems With Expert Preventative Care
Preventive dentistry is not isolated from the rest of your body. In fact, your mouth is a window into your entire physical system. Many conditions may be detected with oral exams and are connected to overall wellness. Patients with conditions such as diabetes, compromised immune function, and a history of cardiovascular issues may require customized preventive care.
Because we have years of experience evaluating dental risk factors, we can help you protect your mouth now, but we also can make recommendations as to the right level of preventive dentistry for you based on a comprehensive evaluation. Preventive dental visits also allow you to bring questions about your health to your dentist so that you can better understand the relationship between oral health, general well-being, and quality of life.
Preventing Dental Problems Through Early Diagnosis
Preventive dentistry is important because it involves the early detection of potentially harmful problems in the oral cavity. Dental conditions such as early gum disease, small cavities, and oral infections can occur with no warning, making it imperative for patients to make regular visits to our dental office. The earlier we discover a condition, the easier it is to repair.
For example, if a cavity is found when small and hasn’t reached the nerve yet, then your dentist may be able to save your tooth with a simple filling instead of an expensive and extensive root canal treatment. A gum condition can be stopped before it progresses to tooth loosening or loss. A cracked or worn tooth can be prevented from breaking with a crown or other protective device.
Oral Cancer Screening & Advanced Detection
No matter how often you may be brushing or flossing, there is likely to be some bacterial biofilm remaining in your mouth. This may become plaque and then hardened tartar and eventually lead to gum inflammation and periodontal disease. Professional hygiene visits are intended to remove deposits, disrupt biofilm, smooth the teeth, and enhance the oral environment.
Biofilm removal is not about whether the teeth are clean in your opinion. It is about how much bacterial biofilm you have as a source of inflammation and disease risk. Hygiene at Prostho Endo Dental Group is customized to your needs. You may need routine, more frequent, periodontal, or improved home care instruction visits.
Saliva Testing & Assessment Of Oral Microbiome
Scientific Precision Meets Compassionate Care
Its functions are to neutralize acids, aid digestion, wash away food, and help control bacteria. When the quality or quantity of saliva is altered, the potential for tooth decay, gum inflammation, halitosis, and enamel erosion may increase.
Saliva tests and oral microbiome testing can provide additional information on risk level. They may reveal bacterial profiles, inflammation, dry mouth, or other elements that might not be apparent during just an exam. We may be able to advise specific preventative measures, such as a particular brushing technique, remineralizing agents, saliva substitutes, and/or more frequent appointments if needed.
Professional Hygiene & Biofilm Removal
During your regular dental appointments, you can receive oral cancer screenings. During an oral cancer screening, our doctors evaluate the mouth for signs of abnormalities that may indicate oral cancer or the presence of other oral diseases. This may include the lips, the cheeks, the inside of the mouth, the tongue, and the soft tissue.
Early detection can occur by the use of advanced technologies that identify the first subtle signs of cancer and other oral conditions in ways that are not detectable by the naked eye. Patients who use tobacco in any form should also be aware of the importance of screenings and the need to discuss the importance with their dental provider.
Nightguards & Bite Protection
Teeth clenching and grinding can put stress on the teeth, joints, muscles, and dental restoration. Many patients are not aware that this may be occurring as they do it while they are sleeping. It may cause tooth wear, chipped teeth, jaw joint or muscle discomfort, tooth sensitivity, broken teeth, worn-down teeth, headaches, or worn-down restorations.
A nightguard made especially for you can protect your bite and provide some balance between the top teeth and bottom teeth. They are more comfortable and protect the teeth better than store-bought ones. It may be a very important part of your preventive care if you have crowns, implants, veneers, or have worn-down teeth.
Long-Term Preventive Care Planning
Preventive dentistry is most successful when there is a long-term preventive dental plan in place instead of an exam here and there. At Prostho Endo Dental Group, we take into account your goals, dental history, level of risk, lifestyle, restorative or endodontic needs, and other factors for developing a preventive dental treatment plan.
We consider your ideal frequency of exams and hygiene, what specific areas you may want us to pay attention to on exam and charting, periodontal maintenance, fluoride and remineralization, bite protection, and imaging when indicated. Our hope is that by having a plan in place, we can keep dental issues from surfacing for you and help you have a comfortable and functional smile for life.
For patients in North Bethesda, MD, this may be especially helpful to some when considering busy work, family, health, and preventive dental care schedules. Preventive care gives you a plan for what may be happening and provides some peace of mind for your future dental health.
Prevention Today, Lasting Smiles Tomorrow
Choosing Prostho Endo Dental Group means you are choosing a comprehensive, individualized, long-term preventive treatment. We look beyond what is showing on a patient’s exam today and look at what factors may cause problems in the future, such as their periodontal status, bite, risk level, and wellness history, among other issues.
With our advanced diagnostic tools and technology and patient-focused care, we will help you keep your smile healthy before it becomes a big issue. Contact us for more information about how Prostho Endo Dental Group in North Bethesda, MD, provides comprehensive preventive dental care you can count on, and to learn more about what we can do to help you today.