Preventive Dentistry Nashua NH | Dental Cleaning

Preventive Dental Care An Overview

At Levesque Dentistry in Nashua, NH, you can expect the highest level of care and advanced treatment options. We recommend visiting us at least twice a year to maintain great oral health.

If you have gum disease, it may be recommended that you visit the dentist three or more times a year to maintain optimal dental health and avoid permanent damage.

Importance of Preventative Care

Preventative dental care is essential for oral health and provides the foundation of your smile. You must maintain it both at home and with regular visits to our office.

Preventative dental care prevents problems before they start. When you come to the office, we perform a thorough oral exam. With our advanced training and diagnostic imaging, we can often detect issues in their early stages that you may overlook.

While diligently brushing and flossing at home is essential, you should still come into the office for regular dental cleanings. We have specialized tools that can reach the nooks and crannies you can’t reach. Without these cleanings, plaque and tartar build up in these areas, increasing the risk of tooth decay and gum disease even if you do everything right.

Detecting problems early saves you money and avoids more intensive dental procedures. Regular dental appointments are often covered by insurance. They cost less out of pocket than more extensive procedures, too. These procedures can trigger dental anxiety and mean you’ll have to spend a lot more time in the dental chair.

Taking care of your oral health is important for your overall health. Your mouth is the gateway to the rest of your body. In particular, gum disease impacts the rest of your body. The bacteria from gum disease are linked to heart problems, diabetes, and other serious conditions. Keeping your mouth healthy lessens your chances of these issues.

Diet and Oral Health

Your diet plays a bigger part in your oral health than you may realize. Some foods are good for your smile, while others you should particularly avoid if you want your smile to stay at its best.

Good Foods for Oral Health

Calcium is one of the most vital nutrients for your smile. It helps remineralize the protective tooth enamel on the outside of the tooth. Foods like dairy products and leafy greens are good sources of this. Look into foods fortified with Vitamin D, as this improves calcium absorption. Sunlight is another good source of Vitamin D.

For gum health, you want Vitamin C. It promotes healing and supports healthy tissue and blood vessels. Foods like citrus fruits, peppers, and broccoli are good sources of this.

Fresh, fibrous fruits and vegetables are like natural toothbrushes for your teeth. They reach all the nooks and crannies of the mouth, dislodging food particles from between the teeth. They also require a lot of chewing to break down, promoting saliva production.

Saliva is one of the most important components of oral health. It neutralizes acids and washes away bacteria and food particles from your smile. You should also drink a lot of water for this reason. Tap water is often fortified with fluoride, which helps strengthen enamel and prevent cavities.

Foods to Avoid

Sugar is one of the top enemies of your smile. Bacteria feed on sugar, releasing an acidic byproduct. This eats through the tooth enamel and causes cavities and decay. Hard candies consistently release sugar in your mouth as they break down, while chewy candy and dried fruits stick to your teeth, making sugar stick around longer.

Acid is another issue. It increases the rate at which tooth enamel erodes. Things like soda and too many citrus products are high in acids. Soda is especially harmful because it contains a high amount of sugar and acid.

While salty snacks may seem safe, they can be high in sugar as well. Chips easily fracture and get bits stuck between your teeth, and crackers are broken down and form a kind of paste that can stick to your teeth. When starches and carbohydrates break down, they break down into sugars, making them harmful to your teeth.

Preventive Dental Care What to Expect

Dr. Vogel and Dr. Levesque perform a thorough dental exam during preventive care visits. Together with our team, we will clean your teeth and screen for various dental and health-related concerns. Spotting a developing problem early is ideal for prompt and effective resolution and later avoiding complex issues.

Oral Cancer Screenings

Oral cancer screenings are a very important part of the patient’s dental visit. With the advances in modern technology, we can now pinpoint the start of a potential problem much earlier in its evolution.

The ability to do so is extremely important in treating issues before they become major, irreversible problems.

Oral cancer screening is often completed with ultraviolet light or a similar device that allows us to view issues that can’t always be detected by the human eye under normal conditions.

Certain lifestyle choices can greatly impact the health of tissues and overall health in the mouth. If you are a smoker or heavy drinker, make sure to get regular screenings when you visit the dentist.

Periodontal Screening

We look for the early signs of gum disease, including irritated or bleeding gums. Often, plaque and tartar accumulate below the gum line. In this scenario, we will clean and smooth this area with special instruments to ensure that it is completely spotless.

If this area is not kept clean, the bacteria that reside in tartar and plaque can irritate the entire area. If you have bleeding during brushing, it’s very important to have your dentist check this area.

Cavity Detection

Treating tooth decay as early as possible is paramount for avoiding damage that significantly compromises the long-term integrity of the tooth. Tooth decay affects both children and adults and is a primary reason for visiting with us twice a year. This provides the opportunity to address developing cavities before they become a big problem.

Personalized Oral Hygiene

One of the most important parts of your routine dental visit is your conversation with your hygienist, who will discuss your oral and lifestyle habits. Learning about your unique risk factors for dental problems allows us to provide individualized care and advice for maintaining a healthy smile between visits.

Preventive Dental Care FAQs

Why is preventative dentistry important?: Preventative dentistry helps protect teeth and gums from decay, infection, and damage. It can catch small problems early before they become serious, saving time and money on treatments. Good oral health also supports overall health, as poor dental hygiene is linked to heart disease, diabetes, and other conditions. Regular care ensures a strong, healthy smile for life.
How does brushing and flossing help with preventative care?: Brushing and flossing remove food particles and plaque that can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. Brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste strengthens enamel and prevents cavities. Flossing daily cleans between teeth where a toothbrush can’t reach, reducing the risk of gum disease. These simple habits are essential for maintaining a healthy smile.
Can preventative dentistry help avoid gum disease?: Yes, regular dental care and good oral hygiene help prevent gum disease. Brushing, flossing, and professional cleanings remove plaque, which is the main cause of gum disease. Early detection of gum problems allows dentists to provide treatment before they progress. Healthy gums support strong teeth and reduce the risk of tooth loss.
How does smoking affect dental health?: Smoking increases the risk of gum disease, tooth loss, and oral cancer. It also stains teeth and causes bad breath. Smokers may have a harder time healing after dental treatments due to reduced blood flow to the gums. Quitting smoking improves overall and oral health, helping prevent serious dental problems.
Does insurance cover preventative dentistry?: Many dental insurance plans cover preventative services like check-ups, cleanings, X-rays, fluoride treatments, and sealants. These services are often fully covered because they help prevent costly dental problems later. It’s a good idea to check with your insurance provider to understand your coverage. Preventative care saves money in the long run by reducing the need for expensive treatments.
What happens if I skip preventative dental care?: Skipping preventative care can lead to cavities, gum disease, and even tooth loss. Small dental problems can turn into big, expensive issues if left untreated. Poor oral health can also affect overall health, increasing the risk of conditions like heart disease and diabetes. Regular check-ups and daily oral hygiene are the best ways to keep your teeth and gums healthy for life.

Preventive Dentistry Nashua, NH