Protecting Your Oral & Overall Health

What if we told you there was an easy way to avoid most dental problems? No, there isn’t some magic pill you can take. But the answer is nearly as simple – prevention!

At Flint River Dental, in Huntsville, AL when we say prevention, we’re not talking about some complicated program or system you have to follow. It breaks down to three major components – proper oral hygiene, routine dental exams and cleanings, and proper dietary habits. Your at-home hygiene routine is probably the most important of these – we can’t be with you 24/7, so it’s up to you to make the most out of this part of your prevention plan!

Cavity Reduction

Prevention is important for everyone, and it’s never too late to start. Of course, kids really benefit from early dental care and prevention. Starting off with a comprehensive plan from an early age is the best way to make sure their teeth start healthy and stay that way.

But it’s equally important for adults to adequately protect their oral health. No matter what your age, our goal is to keep your teeth healthy and intact for as long as possible. Even if you’ve had serious dental problems in the past, we can start right now to change course and return your teeth to their healthiest possible condition.

Identifying Your Risk for Cavities

The truth is that everyone who has teeth is at risk for getting cavities. That’s why preventive treatments are important for everyone.

But there are situations that put a person at higher risk for developing decay:

• Despite best efforts, children wearing braces often have trouble getting their teeth fully clean.
• Certain medications cause dry mouth, a problem that reduces saliva in the mouth, which carries away bacteria and debris and keeps teeth clean.
• A patient who has had more than three cavities in the past two years is considered at higher risk for future problems.
• Patients with diabetes, cancer, and certain other ongoing medical conditions face an increased risk for developing cavities.

Your Preventive Treatment Plan

As you might expect, we start with three essential parts – at-home oral hygiene, routine professional dental cleanings, and dietary habits. Our team of dentists and hygienists will show you how to brush and floss properly so your personal hygiene efforts really make a difference. We’ll inform you about proper diet and how it impacts your overall dental health.

For children, prevention is relatively simple. We teach them how to brush and floss and help them understand how important healthy teeth are.

Fluoride varnishes help harden enamel of baby teeth and also benefit the development of adult teeth before they erupt. Dental sealants placed on molars fill the uneven ridges and spaces that attract bacteria and decay.

Adults have different needs, of course, but many of the same therapies used for kids are also effective for adults.

Ensure a Lifetime of Healthy Smiles

Keeping your teeth healthy is really pretty easy, and we look forward to helping you take the next step to a healthier smile that lasts a lifetime.