Achieve Pristine Oral Health With Our Fort Wayne Dentist
Brushing and flossing are excellent ways to stave off cavities and other oral health problems. But those aren’t the only steps our Fort Wayne dentist recommends to keep your smile looking radiant. Preventive dentistry at Union Chapel Dentistry allows our patients to live confidently, knowing their teeth and gums are healthy and strong.
Dr. Painter and his team of dental professionals want to help your teeth remain flawless for years to come. If you’re looking for an experienced dentist, look no further than Dr. Painter. Call our Fort Wayne office today at (260) 232-0280 to schedule your preventive dentistry visit.
What Is Preventive Dentistry?
Preventive dentistry is any dental treatment used to avoid diseases of the gums and teeth and achieve optimal oral health. The best ways to keep cavities and oral health problems at bay are to brush the teeth twice and floss once daily. With regular at-home care, your teeth will remain whiter and healthier — you’ll also have naturally fresher breath!
Our top Fort Wayne dentist also recommends scheduling a preventative dental appointment at Union Chapel Dentistry every six months. Your biannual appointment will help protect your teeth with professional teeth cleanings, fluoride treatments, and more.
Why Practice Daily Preventive Dental Care?
Caring for your teeth is crucial to maintaining your total wellness. Eating and drinking leave behind bacteria that hide between teeth and other small crevices in the mouth. This bacteria creates a thin film called plaque that collects on the teeth. Plaque, when left untreated by neglecting regular brushing and flossing, hardens into a sticky white substance called tartar.
While plaque comes off easily with proper attention to oral hygiene, tartar buildup is tough to remove without professional dental tools. Tartar buildup beneath the gums can cause a range of oral health problems, including:
- Periodontal disease
- Bleeding, swollen gums
- Shifting teeth
- Chronic bad breath
- Toothaches
- Cavities
- Missing teeth
Preventive Dentistry Services
Dental Exams and Teeth Cleanings
During your regular six-month appointment with Dr. Painter, we’ll begin by focusing on deep cleaning your teeth. A member of our dental team will use high-quality dental tools to remove any plaque or tartar that may have built up since your last visit. Preventive dental cleanings ensure your health stays in top shape in the months following your appointment.
Once we have thoroughly cleaned your teeth, we’ll have Dr. Painter assess your oral health through a dental exam. Dental exams consist of looking closely at each tooth and the gums in case there are any oral health problems we need to treat. If our Fort Wayne dentist finds any issues, he will guide you through the treatment process step by step.
Dental Sealants
Dental sealants are thin protective layers placed on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. Your sealants are a smoothing barrier between uneven surfaces of your teeth that can easily trap food particles and cavity-causing bacteria. Although sealants are a popular treatment for children and teenagers, all patients can benefit from the protective properties of dental sealants.
Oral Cancer Screenings
Oral cancer screenings refer to the process of looking for abnormalities that may indicate the progression of any oral cancer on the tongue, gums, or surface of the mouth. Dr. Painter will always assess your mouth for signs of oral cancer during your semi-annual oral health exam at our Fort Wayne dental office. Regular screenings for oral cancer help our patients live without worrying about hidden oral health problems.
Fluoride Treatments
One preventive treatment favored by our top Indiana dentist is a topical fluoride treatment. Dr. Painter may recommend this natural mineral to help strengthen your teeth and fight cavities alongside your fluoride toothpaste. It can be administered in our office or at home, depending on the condition of your oral health.
Brushing Instructions
BRUSHING: STEP 1
Place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to your gum.
BRUSHING: STEP 2
Brush gently in a circular motion.
BRUSHING: STEP 3
Brush the outer, inner, and chewing surfaces of each tooth.
BRUSHING: STEP 4
Use the tip of your brush for the inner surface of your front teeth.
Flossing Instructions
FLOSSING: STEP 1
Wind about 18 inches of floss around your fingers as shown. Most of it should be wrapped around one finger, and the other finger takes it up as the floss is used.
FLOSSING: STEP 2
Use your thumbs and forefingers to guide about one inch of floss between your teeth.
FLOSSING: STEP 3
Holding the floss tightly, gently saw it between your teeth. Then curve the floss into a C-shape against one tooth and gently slide it beneath your gums.
FLOSSING: STEP 4
Slide the floss up and down, repeating for each tooth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Dentists recommend scheduling preventive dental appointments every six months. In the meantime, you should brush your teeth twice a day and floss once daily to ensure your teeth stay in top shape between appointments. Regular oral health care is vital to maintaining your overall health and wellness.
Every single dental patient is different. That’s why our dentist customizes your oral health plan to ensure the best results possible. However, personalized treatments mean that the cost of preventive dentistry can vary between patients. We always recommend speaking with your dentist to receive a cost breakdown of your treatment.
Adding daily oral health care into your wellness routine is one of the best ways to ensure your overall health stays in top shape. Read the following suggestions to maximize the benefits of your at-home oral health care:
- Brush your teeth twice daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush
- Floss once daily
- Use fluoride toothpaste
- Use an antibacterial mouthwash
- Limit consumption of sugary food and beverages
- Brush your tongue and gums as well as your teeth
- Look for visible abnormalities to address with your dentist
No, teeth cleanings aren’t painful. They’re virtually painless and keep your teeth plaque and tartar free for the months following your visit. However, we do understand that some patients have concerns about anxiety when they visit the dentist. We recommend these patients ask about sedation dentistry for their preventive cleaning.
Acheive Your Best Smile at Union Chapel Dentistry
Our top Indiana dentist strives to create the best possible outcome for your oral health. That’s why our staff always recommends scheduling a preventive dentistry appointment twice a year. With daily at-home maintenance combined with our team’s expertise in preventive dentistry, your smile will stay looking radiant and healthy for years to come.
Find out more about preventive dentistry by calling (260) 232-0280 to schedule your appointment at Union Chapel Dentistry.