Use Preventative Dentistry to Protect Your Family's Smiles

by Dr. Ray Padilla

If one waits for discomfort or pain, it is often too late to treat a dental problem and drastic measures must be taken to alleviate pain, loss of teeth and costly surgeries. Interceptive orthodontics for children, cosmetic tooth movement for adults, athletic mouth guard protection, sealants, and even brighter, whiter smiles are just some of the many ways preventive dentistry can help families.

Preventive Sealants The top surfaces of the teeth, where the chewing takes place, are laced with tiny hills and valleys (called pits and fissures) where plaque can accumulate even with thorough brushing. One method of preventing such cavities from developing is to seal them off with a special varnish called a pit and fissure sealant.

Oral Cancer Screenings Oral cancer is one of the most curable diseases when caught early. Patients with increased risk factors, such as alcohol and or tobacco use, can now be examined with new Vizilight(R) technology that can assist in early detection of oral abnormalities. When oral lesions are caught at their earliest stages, treatments are quicker, simpler and more than 90% successful.

Athletic Mouth Guards Unfortunately, the term "mouth guard" is universal and includes "over the counter" models bought at sporting goods stores, which are not recommended in the dental medical literature. Comfortable, form-fitting mouth guards custom-made by qualified dentists are essential in the prevention of athletic oral facial injuries.

State of the Art Technology and Equipment These preventive measures involve the most modern, computerized, digital x-rays that reduce patient exposure to radiation and new hospital sterilization techniques providing a safe and clean environment. Meeting and exceeding all guidelines set forth by the ADA, OSHA, and the Center for Disease Control is critical.

Cosmetic Imaging and Smile Analysis The first thing a person notices about another person is their smile. Modern dentistry now allows an individual to change the way they are perceived by others and increase their self esteem, especially important in today's social and business world. Darkened, decayed and misaligned teeth are not perceived as attractive. Through cosmetic imaging and smile analysis, evaluations are based on each individual's subjective perceptions of his or her smile. The patient then can see their "before" and "after" photo before any actual treatment is done.

Interceptive Orthodontics for Children. Many potentially costly orthodontic concerns can be prevented by early detection of problems resulting from early loss of teeth causing drifting and space closure, hereditary issues, and trauma. This is critical in children at the early ages of 7-10. The early detection and timing of preventive interceptive treatment is critical and many times long term costly orthodontics can be preventive by interceptive early treatment.