Preventive Dentistry

Preventive measures can do wonders for your dental health. A few simple home-care routines, paired with regular visits to your dental professionals at Shipley Dental Innovations, will help to maintain your optimal oral health.

Daily preventive procedures share the common goal of removing bacteria from the mouth and maintaining all around good dental health. If allowed to build up, bacteria adhere to the teeth, tongue, and soft tissue, which then becomes plaque. This plaque, over time, can mineralize into a hard substance called calculus (tartar). Only professional cleanings and the correct tools can remove the tartar. Inadequate plaque control is the primary cause of gingivitis (inflamed gums), periodontitis, and malodor (bad breath). Patients can minimize bacterial accumulation through regular brushing, flossing, tongue scraping, and periodic dental hygiene (cleaning) appointments. Professional cleanings and assessments enable dental professionals to stay on top of your health status. Regular visits to Shipley Dental Innovations allows problems to be identified early, so they can be controlled easily.

What can you expect at your dental cleaning appointment?

• Thorough cleaning and examination
• Screen for cancer and other diseases of the mouth
• Evaluate supportive bone
• Check for cavities
• Assess the integrity of existing dental restorations
• Take needed x-rays of the mouth
• Apply fluoride
• Evaluate options