Preventive Services - Dr Mary Gregory Dental Care Arlington Va

Preventive Dentistry

A preventive program is a cooperative effort by the patient and dentist to prevent the occurrence of oral diseases. Preventing dental disease starts at home with good oral hygiene and a balanced diet. It is continued in the dentist office to promote, restore, and maintain your oral health.
Prevention also includes regular dental exams, cleanings, and x-rays. Sealants and fluoride are also great preventive treatments that help protect the teeth.
The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that you visit your dentist regularly at least once every six months, to ensure proper oral hygiene and funtionality. Regular check-ups and oral health maintneance prevent the development of serious dental problems that can require costly treatments.

Proper nutrision, brushing, flossing techniques.

Nutrition Diet:
Foods containing any kind of sugar contribute to tooth decay
To help control the amount of sugar you consume, read food labels and choose foods and beverages that are low in added sugars. Added sugars often are present in soft drinks, candy, cookies and pastries.
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Brushing Techniques:

Brush at least twice a day
Replace toothbrush every 3-4 months
Follow proper brushing techniques
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Flossing Techniques:

Flossing is an essential part of the tooth-cleaning process. It removes plaque and food between teeth and under the gumline, where a toothbrush cannot easily reach. If you find using floss awkward or difficult, ask your dentist, hygienist or dental assistant about the variety of dental floss holders or interdental cleaning devices that are available.
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If you have questions or would like to schedule an appointment with Dr. Gregory, please call our office 703.527.6495

Regular Dental Exams

Regular dental check-ups provide an opportunity for the dentist to catch cavities before they develop into bigger problems. The dentist can spot tooth decay early on, and design a treatment plan that will keep teeth healthy.

Cleaning

Regular teeth cleaning by a dental hygienist is recommended to remove tartar that may develop even with careful brushing and flossing, especially in areas that are difficult for a patient to reach. This involves the use of various instruments or devices to loosen and remove deposits from the teeth.
Most dental hygienists recommend having the teeth professionally cleaned at least once every 12 to 24 months. More frequent cleaning and examination may be necessary during the treatment of many of the dental/oral disorders.

Check-Ups

In addition to daily brushing and flossing, you can help protect your oral health by seeing your dentist regularly for checkups. It's recommended that most people get a dental checkup every six months, but your dentist may recommend more frequent or fewer visits, depending on your dental health history.

Sealants

Dental sealants are thin, plastic coating applied on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth - molars and premolars. Sealants are highly effective in the prevention of tooth decay. Back teeth contain more hard-to-reach pits and grooves that serve as a host to food debris and plaque build-up. Dental sealants prevent dental decay in the grooves. Sealants can provide 100% protection from dental decay or "cavities" on the chewing surface.
Children should receive sealants on permanent molars as soon as they erupt. (about 6 and 12 years). With proper oradl hygiene, sealants can last five to ten years.

Flouride Treatments

Fluoride is a naturally occurring element that can help to prevent tooth decay by strengthening teeth. Fluoride provides a measure of protection to the dental enamel by making it more resistant to acids and other substances that cause tooth decay.
Fluoride is found naturally in water sources in small but traceable amounts, and in certain foods such as meat, fish, eggs and tea. Fluoride also is added to water in some areas and to toothpastes, rinses and professional treatments. Prescription fluoride tablets are available for children who do not drink fluoridated water.

Periodontal Screening

Diagnosis of periodontal disease is based on:
medical history, physical examination, periodontal screening and recording, testing tooth movement, as well as x-rays.

Oral Cancer Screening

During a regular dental checkup, your dentist will examine your entire mouth, searching for a flat, painless, white or red spot or small sore. Other signs of oral cancer can include:

A sore that bleeds easily or does not heal.
A color change of the oral tissues.
A lump, thickening, rough spot, crust, or small, eroded area.
Pain, tenderness, or numbness anywhere in the mouth or on the lips.