Preventative Dentistry in Prosper, TX
At Prosper Smiles Family Dentistry, we want our patients to enjoy success in every area of life, including their oral health. As a dental practice, we work hard to ensure the happiness and health of each of our patients. The first step to having a beautiful, healthy smile? Practicing good oral habits and preventive care.
When you visit our Prosper, TX dental office, Dr. Patel will visually examine your teeth and gums, provide x-rays to determine if anything has changed, and clean your teeth of plaque buildup. Healthy teeth are for life, and it doesn’t take much to maintain them. By following our helpful oral tips and visiting Dr. Patel—we can help you keep your beautiful teeth polished and healthy.
If you have any oral hygiene questions or would like to speak to a member of our friendly dental staff, please do not hesitate to call us at any time.
- What is Preventive Dentistry?
- Preventive Dentistry Tips
- Two Goals of Preventive Dentistry
- The Real Value of Preventive Care
- Our Preventive Dentistry Services
- Schedule an Appointment with Your Prosper Dentist
What is Preventive Dentistry?
Preventive dentistry is what we call the practice of avoiding dental problems and oral issues by maintaining healthy habits. Through proper care and a healthy lifestyle, you can prevent common dental issues like cavities, periodontal (or gum) disease, tooth decay, and more. There are many ways to practice preventive dentistry, and we’ll provide a few tips to make sure you are keeping your mouth and teeth clean and happy.
The American Dental Association recommends that all patients visit their dentist regularly every six months. Through these dental visits and oral cleanings, Dr. Vimal Patel can inspect your teeth and gums visually and use x-rays to track any changes. Your oral examinations also include cancer screening to check on your general health. We believe that preventive dental care should start as early as possible so that our youngest patients can start maintaining good oral habits from the start. Dr. Patel is happy to instruct and educate his patients on proper brushing and flossing techniques.
Preventive Dentistry Tips From Prosper Smiles Family Dentistry
Here are some helpful tips that you can practice at home in-between dental visits:
Brush daily—It’s essential to brush twice a day for two minutes each time. Using an electric toothbrush with a built-in timer can help ensure you clean long enough. Brushing your tongue helps remove any harmful bacteria and keeps your breath fresh. Ask Dr. Patel if you feel that your brushing technique is lacking.
Floss daily—Just like brushing, flossing is an integral part of keeping your teeth and gums healthy. By brushing, you remove any food particles that can get trapped between teeth, as well as remove any bacteria from building up. Many people would be surprised that they are flossing incorrectly; ask Dr. Patel to demonstrate the right way to floss at your next dental visit.
No Smoking—Smoking is bad for your general health, but it’s also destructive to your teeth and gums. Smoking also causes yellow or brown stains to your teeth that are hard to remove. If you are considering quitting, invest in your smile, and save your teeth.
Preventive Dentist Visits—It’s essential that Dr. Patel cleans the plaque off your teeth at least once a year. If you have dental issues that need his attention, he may recommend you come in more frequently. As with your general health, most oral problems don’t just go away on their own. Unfortunately, many times, they build up and become more severe. During your routine visit, Dr. Patel will scrape along your gum line to remove the plaque and tartar that build up, even if you brush and floss regularly. You will leave with polished and clean-feeling teeth.
Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle—You may not be surprised at how much your diet affects your oral health. The foods you eat and the beverages you drink can stain your teeth to the point that teeth whitening is necessary. Sugary foods and sodas can cause tooth decay and cavities. By limiting your sugar intake and drinking lots of water, you’re already preventing many oral problems.
Two Goals of Preventive Dentistry in Prosper, TX
Since childhood, we’ve all heard that visiting the dentist for regular checkups is important, but have you ever wondered why? Dr. Vimal Patel believes that preventive care visits to Prosper Smiles Family Dentistry accomplish two primary objectives:
- Early identification of oral disease. Whether the disease in question is tooth decay, gum disease, TMJ disorder, or oral cancer, the earlier the diagnosis and treatment, the more successful that treatment is likely to be. Preventive dentistry can also detect issues with your general health. Many people may not know that many diseases are linked to oral health, including:
- Diabetes
- Heart disease
- Osteoporosis
- Respiratory disease
- Cancer
- Provide professional maintenance. Even if you take especially good care of your teeth and gums at home, regular visits to the dentist can help you maintain a healthy oral environment and make sure restorations, dental prosthetics, and cosmetic procedures are functional and looking good.
eth and visiting their dentist for routine checkups is necessary to maintain excellent oral health. The problem is that many don’t follow through with these simple steps conscientiously, and the result is often cavities and gum disease.
