What is preventive dentistry?
Preventive dentistry diagnoses and treats potentially serious oral health problems early on when they’re most responsive to treatment. It uses diagnostic screening techniques and regular check-ups to encourage optimal oral health.
It’s important to participate in preventive dentistry even if your teeth and gums feel healthy. Many issues, including tooth decay and gum disease, present few obvious symptoms early on. As a result, you might be at risk and not realize it.
What does preventive dentistry involve?
Dr. Koch offers a variety of preventive dentistry services, including:
Orthodontic treatment
Common orthodontic problems like overcrowding and jaw misalignment often occur at an early age. Orthodontic treatment can promote healthy jaw growth, encouraging proper alignment and healthy, vibrant smiles. Dr. Koch offers several types of orthodontic treatment, including ClearCorrect® and SmileTru®.
Oral exams
During an oral exam, Dr. Koch uses a handheld mirror to assess the health of your teeth, tongue, gums, and jaw. If he detects any problems, like cavities, gum disease, or an oral abscess, he can recommend additional testing and treatment.
Digital oral X-rays
Oral X-rays provide detailed images of your jaw, tooth roots, and alveolar bone. They allow Dr. Koch to diagnose and treat potentially serious oral health problems that aren’t visible to the naked eye like deep decay or pulp damage.
Professional teeth cleaning
Professional teeth cleaning is an outpatient procedure that removes plaque and tartar from your teeth and beneath your gum line. After cleaning your teeth, Dr. Koch polishes them with gritty toothpaste, flosses them, and applies a fluoride treatment if prescribed.
Oral cancer screening
An oral cancer screening uses a special microscope to detect potentially cancerous growths or abscesses. If Dr. Koch detects anything unusual, he can remove a small sample for biopsy and send it to a laboratory for further analysis.
How often should I make a preventive dentistry appointment?
It’s important to schedule a preventive dentistry appointment at least twice a year. Aside from catching potentially serious problems, these checkups present an opportunity to ask questions, monitor your progress, and build a relationship with Dr. Koch.
To learn more about the benefits of preventive dentistry, make an appointment at Advanced Dental Care of East Texas. Call to speak with a member of the administrative team or click the online booking tool.
