Preventive Dentistry in Lakeview Chicago

Preventive dentistry aims at preventing the onset of oral diseases even before they occur. As the saying goes, prevention is better than cure. This is the main reason why we stress on maintaining optimum oral hygiene and visiting us for regular oral consultations at least once in six months. We offer the following preventive services:

Oral Prophylaxis:  Oral prophylaxis or cleaning is a process of removing the accumulated plaque and tartar from the surface of the teeth and roots. If the tartar deposits are not removed periodically, they could cause the erosion of the enamel and lead to cavities. Also, tartar is one of the prime causes of gum diseases such as gingivitis and periodontitis. Dental cleaning significantly reduces the chances of contracting oral infections and improves the overall health of the mouth.

Oral X-rays:  X-rays are a boon to dentistry as they allow dentists to get a look at the underlying structure of the patient’s mouth. Through x-rays, we can locate cracks and fractures on the teeth, determine the onset and extent of malocclusion, jawbone deterioration, underlying cavities, wear of the biting surfaces, drifting of teeth, etc.

Dental Sealants:  The inner teeth, i.e., the molars and premolars, contain grooves on their surface called the occlusal grooves. Though they seem only wide enough for a single toothbrush bristle to fit in, they can house thousands of microbes in them along with food debris. Over time, the microbes multiply and can lead to cavities. Sealants are tooth-colored resinous material that can be applied to the grooves to seal them off entirely and prevent tooth decay.

Oral cancer screening:  Oral cancer is most often caused due to chewing tobacco or smoking cigarettes. Over several years, millions of people have lost their lives to oral cancer. When you visit our practice for oral cancer screening, we check for signs such as sores, redness, bleeding gums, and soft inner lining of the mouth, lesions, leukoplakia, etc. If any such signs are found, the appropriate treatment would be recommended.

Fluoride treatment:  Fluoride is an essential mineral that is present in the teeth. It is responsible for keeping the teeth strong and increasing their immunity to decay. However, when the body doesn’t receive the ideal amount of fluoride from drinking water and the toothpaste used, treatment would be necessary to restore the fluoride content in the teeth.

Though all these preventive treatment procedures help to keep infections at bay, the best way to stay away from them is to practice proper oral hygiene. Brushing and flossing twice a day get rid of a majority of the bacteria from the mouth and ensure better oral health.