Preventive Dentistry
We are invested in helping you achieve and maintain optimum oral health. From self-confidence to your heart, a healthy smile can impact many aspects of your life. For instance, researchers continually link good oral health to a lower risk of heart attack, stroke and other life-threatening conditions.
The most important part of maintaining your oral health is conscientious personal oral hygiene and regular maintenance visits to our office. We are happy to partner with you in keeping your mouth healthy.
Brushing and Flossing
Brushing and flossing removes food particles and helps prevent the buildup of bacteria on and around your teeth. This bacteria will otherwise accumulate, and harden into a thick plaque, eventually causing tooth decay and bone loss below the gum.
Some tips for maintaining your oral health are:
- Brush twice daily with fluoridated toothpaste, ideally after each meal.
- Floss at least once a day.
- Limit snacking in between meals and minimize the amount of processed sugars you consume.
Regular Office Visits & Dental Cleanings
Regular dental cleanings by your dental hygienist are an important part of your preventive dental care.These cleanings remove the build up of plaque and tartar (calculus deposits). Cavity producing bacteria thrive in these areas of plaque and tartar, so it is important that they be removed.
As part of your dental cleaning visit, Dr. Pham will exam in your teeth. This allows for early diagnosis and monitoring of potential problem areas. He will also assess the health of the gums and other tissues in your mouth.
Each person has individual needs or concerns. Your dental cleanings are also an opportunity for you to discuss these with Dr. Pham.
Oral Cancer Screenings
Oral cancer is just as deadly as other forms of cancer, but if discovered early enough, nearly 90% of all cases are curable. That is why at every dental visit we will exam your mouth for signs of cancer.
Because cancer can take the form of many non-alarming tissue changes in the oral region, it is important that you see us if you have any sore or discolored area of your mouth that does not heal within 14 days.
