Preventive Dentistry

How to prevent dental and oral disease

These daily treatments can go a long way to keeping you healthy for the long run.

At Dr. Christian Johnson Dentistry, we want all our patients to enjoy the many benefits that come with having a healthy and attractive smile. We offer preventative dentistry in La Plata and Waldorf MD to help our patients avoid developing some of the most common problems with teeth and gums. As our patient, you will receive exceptional, individualized dental care to keep your smile healthy and bright.

Preventative dentistry is an umbrella term that describes the many dental procedures used to treat tooth decay and other dental diseases in their earliest stages. The goal is to keep your teeth, gums, and mouth as healthy as possible while helping you avoid tooth loss. Here are the different types of preventative procedures used today by your Waldorf MD dentist:

  • Professional Dental Cleaning: It is important to have your teeth professionally cleaned twice a year to remove plaque and tartar from your teeth, especially in areas where you have difficulty reaching when brushing and flossing, such as along the gum line.
  • Dental sealants videoDental Sealants: Dental sealants are thin coatings that are applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth to protect them from decay. The sealant material seeps into the natural fissures and pits of the tooth surfaces where bacteria gathers to help prevent cavities from forming.
  • Fluoride Treatment: This naturally-occurring mineral helps make teeth stronger and more resistant to decay. It can even reverse small cavities that are beginning to form. We provide fluoride treatments to those patients who are not getting enough fluoride. The procedure is quick and easy as the fluoride is applied directly to the teeth during a regular dental visit.
  • Laser Decay Diagnosis: Thanks to many advances being made in dental technology, now laser technology can be used to detect the earliest stage of tooth decay. This procedure is quick, easy, safe, and done right in the office to help patients keep their teeth healthy and strong.
  • Protective Mouthguards: Protective mouthguards are designed to protect teeth from injury and trauma. Anyone playing sports or partaking in any physical activity that poses a risk of injury to the face, mouth, or teeth should wear a mouthguard to keep the teeth intact and healthy.
  • Oral Cancer video Oral Cancer Screenings: Oral cancer screenings are designed to detect oral cancer early so that the necessary treatment can start right away. Nowadays, these screenings are a routine part of every regular dental exam.
  • Salivary Diagnostics: Even though salivary diagnostics is relatively new, it is an exciting development in the field of preventative dentistry. This technology allows your dentist to detect certain diseases with a saliva test.
  • X-Rays: Dentists have been routinely using X-rays for decades to see signs of dental disease that are not visible to the naked eye. Now, with CAT scans, X-rays are three-dimensional and a great tool for diagnosing tooth decay, gum disease, and other problems.

The Role You Play in Preventative Dental Care

One of the most important components of preventative dentistry is you. You can do your part in keeping your teeth and gums healthy by practicing excellent oral hygiene at home. Doing a consistently great job of brushing and flossing will help you avoid the need for costly and complex dental treatments in your future. If you do a good job with your oral hygiene routines at home, you can take the most advantage of our in-office treatments at our Waldorf MD office.

Contact Your Waldorf MD Dentist Today!

Dr. Johnson and his incredible team use the most advanced technologies and procedures to ensure that our patients can enjoy having healthy smiles for a lifetime. In our mission to provide you and your family with the specific treatment you need to achieve optimal oral health, we offer a wide range of dental treatments and procedures. If it's time for you or your child to visit the dentist, please request an appointment today. We look forward to seeing you soon and helping you care for your smile!

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