Preventive Dental Care

Dr. Ross believes strongly in preventive dentistry because it is always better to prevent a problem rather than to try to correct a problem after it has already occurred. Quite simply, preventive dentistry is the practice of caring for one’s mouth, keeping it healthy and being proactive to prevent dental problems, such as cavities, gum disease, abnormal tooth wear, broken teeth, and more. This preventive education process should be started when we are children, even before teeth are exposed in the mouth.

There are many forms of preventive dentistry, such as daily brushing and flossing, as well as regular dental cleanings and check-ups. These preventive practices are designed to ensure that the gums stay healthy and the teeth are clean, strong, and white.

One of the most important parts of preventive dentistry is to brush your teeth daily with a fluoride containing tooth paste approved by the American Dental Association (ADA). Most people should replace their toothbrushes every three to four months or as the bristles start to fray.

Daily flossing is as important as daily brushing. Flossing aids in cleaning the area between the teeth that a tooth brush cannot reach. Some people have to use special types of floss for very tight contacts between the teeth, and some have to use flossing aids to help navigate the floss around appliances, such as braces and bridges.

Dental cleanings are performed for most people every six months by one of our skilled hygienists. This allows areas of the mouth to be cleaned that have been missed or become problematic, even after using a thorough, daily home care regimen. A routine dental exam allows Dr. Andrew Ross to identify potential problems before they occur or, if one has occurred, allows it to be addressed in a timely manner. These dental exams are usually performed during your routine cleaning appointments at our office. If it has been more than a year between cleanings and an exam, then you are overdue for an appointment and the risk for problems occurring becomes significantly higher, even if practicing a good oral hygiene routine regularly at home.