Preventive Dentistry
At Chesterfield Family Dental, we believe preventive dentistry is the best way to avoid serious dental problems. Through preventive dentistry procedures and patient education, our patients can expect to avoid expensive treatments and painful problems down the line. We educate our patients how to make the best use of at-home dental care along with regular visits for dental exams to fight against serious dental problems. Find out which preventive dentistry procedures we offer in our Springfield dental office below and how you can do more on your end to prevent problems.
Tooth Decay Prevention
Tooth decay is a progressive disease that is the result of bacteria that comes into contact with the sugars in the everyday diet. When sugar comes into contact with this bacteria, it causes a reaction which produces acids that break down the minerals in teeth. As a result, cavities form. When cavities form, one of our Springfield dentists will need to go in and complete a dental filling. Occasionally a root canal will be necessary. To avoid these problems in the first place, we recommend adhering to a strict dental hygiene regimen. This includes brushing and flossing twice a day, fluoride mouthwash, and visits us regularly for dental cleanings. You should also eat a healthy diet and be sure to rinse your mouth out or brush your teeth after drinking or eating sugary foods or drinks. Tooth decay prevention is easy and begins with you.
Sealants
In the back of your mouth, you have several molars which contain grooves and depressions on the surface. These spots are the perfect place for food to become stuck and for cavities to form. To avoid this from happening, our dentist provides dental sealants for patients of all ages. Dental sealants cover these grooves to prevent food and debris from getting stuck and from cavities forming. Without sealants, 88% of cavities in children are formed. Make sure to have your sealants checked out at your next visit. This simple preventive dentistry procedure can prevent so many cavities.
Fluoride
Fluoride is the compound that strengthens your enamel and protects your teeth against cavities. It’s found in drinking water, in your toothpaste, and in some mouthwashes. We can also provide fluoride treatments in our dental office in Springfield for extra preventive dentistry. It’s important to use fluoride products to protect your teeth as much as possible. If fluoride is not present in your primary drinking water source, we can recommend several fluoride supplements to use.
Thumb Sucking
When your child is young and sucking your thumb you might think how cute it is. But the reality is, this cute habit can lead to permanent dental problems. For the most part, children stop sucking their thumb once the permanent front teeth are ready to erupt. In some cases, children do not stop. When this happens, it can cause improper growth of the mouth and misalignment of the teeth. If you notice your child is sucking their thumb after their permanent front teeth have erupted, it’s important to take action as soon as possible.
To help your child outgrow their thumb sucking habit, you can try the following tips. When your child is sucking their thumb, don’t scold them. Instead, praise them when they are not sucking their thumb. Find the source of your child’s anxiety that makes them want to suck their thumb. Eliminate this problem or find a way to work through it. You can also place a bandage on their thumb or sock on their hand at night. Lastly, praise them when they are not sucking their thumb during difficult periods.
Schedule Your Next Dental Exam
Aside from following our advice about the above preventive dentistry, we advise all patients to visit us every 6 months for their routine dental exam and dental cleaning. Following proper at home care in addition to regular dental visits is the best way to combat future dental problems. Our dentists are here to give you all the patient education you need to form healthy habits at home and to stop bad habits in their tracks. Our Springfield dentist office can be reached via phone for your appointment. You can also fill out our online form to ask questions or to request being contacted by our office.
