These days, our understanding of the causes of gum disease and cavities has come far enough that it is possible to dramatically reduce your risk of getting cavities or losing teeth to gum disease.
The two basic aspects of prevention are regular professional cleanings at our office AND your being able to do a thorough job of cleaning your teeth at home, everyday.
At each examination and cleaning appointment, we not only do an oral cancer examination, check for worn fillings, signs of wear on your teeth, and take necessary x-rays, but we also evaluate your risk for gum disease. We will make recommendations regarding services we can provide to eliminate or prevent the progression of gum disease, as well as steps that can be taken to prevent cavities.
We will also assess what you are doing at home and make recommendations that will help you do a thorough job.
Some of the basic tools available are a prescription-strength, anti-microbial mouth rinse with an active ingredient that adheres to teeth and gums for several hours after use. There is nothing else that works as effectively for reducing the germ level in your mouth.
We also have a prescription-strength, fluoride toothpaste that has at least 5 to 20 times the concentration of fluoride, compared to over the counter brands, to help protect your teeth from decay.
For people at high risk, such as those with reduced saliva flow from medications, chemotherapy or just plain getting older, we can make custom trays to allow you to give yourself a professional-strength, fluoride treatment at home, on a frequent basis.
© 2007 Frederick R. Levine, DDS • Site designed and maintained by TNT Dental