Preventive Dentistry
PREVENTIVE DENTISTRY
Learn about Preventive Dentistry
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At Dental Care of Glen Ellyn, our goal is always to help patients keep their smiles whole and healthy for life, and one way we achieve this goal is to prevent major oral health issues by scheduling preventive dentistry exams every six months. During these dental checkups, our hygienists remove plaque and tartar buildup, and the dentist carefully examines patients’ smiles screening for signs of common oral health issues. Before you leave, we’ll create an ongoing dental care plan to help you keep your smile healthy.
Dental Exam and Cleaning
PREVENTIVE DENTISTRY
Through a routine cleaning, Dr. Brian Shin makes sure to remove all plaque and tartar, ensuring no cavities or decay develops in your teeth. During the exam, he carefully reviews all the areas of your mouth, including your teeth, gums, tongue, and throat for any concerning symptoms. He will also pay close attention to your bite and jaw as well as ask if you are experiencing any discomfort or sensitivity. From there, he can recommend a personalized treatment plan.
Flossing & Brushing
PREVENTIVE DENTISTRY
The American Dental Association recommends cleaning between your teeth daily with an interdental cleaner (like floss). Cleaning between your teeth may help prevent cavities and gum disease. Cleaning between your teeth helps remove a sticky film called plaque. Plaque contains bacteria that feed on leftover food or sugar in your mouth. When that happens, it releases an acid that can eat away at the outer shell of your teeth and cause cavities.
Plaque that is not removed by brushing and cleaning between your teeth can eventually harden into a rough substance called tartar (or calculus). Tartar collects along your gum line and can lead to gum disease. Once tartar forms, only your dentist can remove it. Although some have questioned the benefits of cleaning between your teeth, using an interdental cleaner (like floss) is an essential part of taking care of your teeth and gums.
Oral Cancer Screenings
PREVENTIVE DENTISTRY
Dentists like Dr. Brian Shin are actually in a unique position to catch the early signs of oral cancer largely because routine dental visits are conducted more often than doctor’s visits. With the Velscope, problematic or concerning areas of oral tissue will light up with ease. If you have oral sores that simply will not go away or you have red or white patches of tissue in your mouth, we will connect you with a doctor so you can confirm the presence of oral cancer and get you treatment.
Fluoride Treatment
PREVENTIVE DENTISTRY
Fluoride is found in foods, your neighborhood’s public drinking water, and in most cases the oral care products you use. Routine fluoride application is essential for keeping teeth strong and healthy, which is why we provide treatments with it following your cleaning. In most cases, we will apply fluoride once every six months, which is typically often enough to keep decay and cavities at bay, especially for children who are still learning their brushing and flossing.
