What is Preventive Dentistry?

Seeing the dentist twice a year could protect your smile from serious health problems.
 

We know that our lives get hectic and that you may not be able to find time in your schedule to do everything you need to; however, one thing that you should never let fall by the wayside is your oral health. You must be turning to our Grand Forks, ND, family dentist Dr. Steven Erlandson every six months for routine checkups and cleanings. Preventive dentistry really isn’t that difficult to practice.
 

What is preventive dentistry?

Preventive dentistry is any habit or practice, whether performed by our Grand Forks, ND, family dentist or performed by you, that protects your smile and prevents disease or injury from occurring. Common forms of preventive dentistry include,
 

  • Routine cleanings and checkups: these professional cleanings need to be performed twice a year
  • Patient education: our dental team can provide you with tips, tricks, and advice on what products to use and how to properly care for your smile
  • At-home oral care: includes brushing and flossing
  • Eating a healthy diet: reduce or limit sugar consumption
  • Oral cancer screenings: these quick, painless screenings are performed by our dental team during your six-month checkup
  • Dental sealants: These plastic coatings are bonded to the chewing surfaces of your child or teen’s back teeth to reduce their risk for cavities
  • Mouthguards: if you or your child plays sports, you (or they) must wear custom mouthguards to protect your teeth from injury
  • Fluoride: you must get enough fluoride in your diet to keep teeth enamel healthy and strong, whether that’s through your toothpaste and drinking water or you turn to Dr. Erlandson and his team for an in-office fluoride treatment
     

Why is preventive dentistry important?

As you might already imagine, it’s fair easily to give your teeth and gums the care they need to prevent problems from happening rather than dealing with the invasive and sometimes costly procedures that come with not caring for your smile. Preventive dentistry saves you a lot of time and money in the long run. Plus, it also helps to preserve your beautiful, natural smile.
 

Whether you need to schedule a dental cleaning with our Grand Forks, ND, family dentist or you have questions about the dental services we offer, don’t hesitate to call (701) 772-6581 to learn more.