Preventive Care

Making your dental hygiene a priority with preventive care means fewer cavities, less pain, and more pleasant-smelling breath. Beyond that, the dentists at Hendricks Dental Specialists in Brentwood, Tennessee, emphasize the importance of the oral-systemic connection, which is the link between your oral health and your overall health. Schedule your next preventive cleaning and examination over the phone, or book one online today.

What is preventive care?

Preventive care in dentistry benefits kids, adults, and seniors all the same: It all serves to help you avoid damage or disease in your mouth that could be costly or uncomfortable in the future. With increasing evidence pointing to a strong connection between oral health and overall health, preventive dental care could be crucial for your long-term wellness, too. 

Beyond the services you get in the dentist’s office, the team at Hendricks Dental Specialists can coach you on taking care of your oral hygiene at home. While preventive visits and services do a lot, they cannot protect you from problems like gum disease if you don’t brush and floss your teeth every day. A balanced diet is important, too, with limited sugar and plenty of vitamins.

What does preventive care entail?

Hendricks Dental Specialists encourages patients to come in for a preventive care appointment once every six months. You touch base with your dentist during an examination after a thorough cleaning. Here’s what might happen during your next preventive dental care visit:

Cleaning

A detailed teeth cleaning removes plaque and tartar (bacteria) buildup from the surfaces of your teeth, especially around the gums. That helps you avoid bacteria under your gums which is a major cause of gum disease. 

Exam

A complete oral examination allows your dentist to look at your teeth and gums for signs of complications you might not notice on your own. The exam can identify early signs of tooth decay, gum disease, and oral cancer. 

X-rays

X-ray images might not happen at all of your examinations, but you get them every once in a while to detect cavities and other tooth problems you can’t see. 

Sealants

Sealants are a preventive service kids or adults can get at Hendricks Dental Specialists. The dentist paints them on and hardens them to give your teeth an extra layer of protection from decay. They stop bacteria from getting stuck in the grooves on your chewing surfaces. 

What are the benefits of getting preventive dental care?

Preventive dental care helps you avoid many tooth and gum issues, including injuries and disease. While there are some less controllable factors than hygiene, like your genetics, preventive dentistry minimizes your risk for conditions like gum disease, tooth decay, and enamel wear. 

Call Hendricks Dental Specialists or schedule a routine preventive care visit online today.