The goal of preventive dentistry is to maintain a good oral health in the long term to avoid further oral diseases and conditions. Preventive dentistry begins with the eruption of a baby’s first tooth and never ends; it is a constant habit that needs to be developed in order to have a healthy smile. Since your oral health affects the rest of your body’s development, people with a healthy mouth have a better chance of general health. Working together with our Woodland Hills dentist can help to prevent the need for more complex treatments.

Sealants

Dental sealants are thin plastic coatings that are applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth to protect them from tooth decay and cavities. This coating helps keep germs and food particles away from the grooves or cracks on your teeth. The process to apply sealants is short and easy and does not require drilling, anesthesia or removing any part of the tooth. Sealants are hardly noticeable, they can be clear or tooth colored and last from five to ten years! Our dentist in Woodland Hills will check your sealants in every dental visit and inform you of their overall condition. Even though sealants are generally applied to children, patients of all ages can benefit from them as well.

Fluoride

Fluoride is a natural mineral used in dentistry to help fight tooth decay. Fluoride helps harden teeth enamel in baby teeth before their formation because they concentrate in the growing bone and in adult teeth after they emerge. Fluoride remineralize your teeth, after your saliva has demineralized it. Drinking fluoridated water, using a fluoridated toothpaste and mouthwash helps maintain your teeth in a healthy state. Some people may require extra fluoride; this is determined by your Woodland Hills dentist who could apply a special fluoride treatment to provide better protection for your teeth.

Prophylaxis

Prophylaxis is a deep dental cleaning which not only cleans thoroughly the surface and hard to reach areas of your teeth, but also examines your teeth to notice any oral condition that might be present. This deep cleaning helps remove plaque, calculus, tartar, stains and other particles present on your mouth. The process also includes the area under the gum line and the application of caries-preventing agents. Checking the condition of dental restorations, if the patient has any, is also part of the prophylaxis treatment.

X-Rays

A dental x-ray is a picture of a person’s teeth, bones, and surrounding areas that help find problems with the teeth, mouth, and jaw. X-rays can reveal places where tooth decay, impacted teeth and bone loss are hidden or not easily detected. Dental x-rays are also used as follow-up after dental treatments and to evaluate the overall condition of the patient’s mouth. Digital x-rays are available in modern dentistry which allow the dentist and patient to work in a more efficient and practical way.

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