Improve Your Oral Health and Total Health with General, Preventive Dentistry
Quality dentistry provides health benefits for the entire body. Research shows a strong connection between oral health and overall health, so we provide dentistry that considers and improves your total health. The advantages of healthy teeth & gums should not be underestimated; they contribute to our overall well-being not only by promoting proper chewing and jaw function, but also by enhancing our appearance and improving our self-esteem. Since teeth do so much work for us, they need regular care and maintenance. With preventive dentistry at Total Health Dental Care in Oakland and Berkeley, you can help ensure that your teeth remain functional and beautiful for years to come. Our skilled team of dental professionals, led by Dr. Sepand Hokmabadi, is ready to offer you friendly and high-quality dental care that will beautify your smile and support your total health.
How Important is General, Preventive Dentistry?
A regular at-home oral hygiene routine of brushing and flossing is critical to the prevention of tooth decay and gum disease. However, at-home oral hygiene alone is not enough to maintain optimal oral health. Just as a car needs professional maintenance to continue to function properly, professional preventive dentistry treatment is required to ensure teeth and their supporting structures remain healthy. Appointments for cleanings and exams should be made every four to six months to keep teeth and gums in their best possible shape. Regular preventive dentistry is also crucial to the health of your whole body. If left unchecked, tooth or gum disease can prompt or exacerbate health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and digestion problems.
General, Preventive Dentistry Treatment
There are a number of preventive dentistry treatments that promote quality oral and general health. Dr. Hokmabadi takes special care to make all treatments comfortable and relaxing, and pays close attention to maximizing the health benefits of his procedures. These procedures include:
Oral Exam
At the most fundamental level, we offer a thorough oral exam using the latest dental equipment, which increases accuracy and patient comfort. The mouth, teeth, jaws, and gums are screened to assess their health. We also include a head and neck exam and oral cancer screening. Techniques to care for your teeth at home are discussed to help maximize the efficacy of your daily oral health routine.
Scaling / Planing
In cases where tartar and plaque are found beneath the gum line, we gently remove it from the crown and root of the tooth. This is called tooth scaling. Root planing is performed to smooth the root of the tooth, making it harder for bacteria to colonize.
Brushing / Flossing
Brushing and flossing are not only the most basic forms of preventive dentistry; they are your first lines of defense against tooth decay and gum disease. These activities should be performed several times daily. When brushing, the bristles of the toothbrush should be placed at a 45-degree angle along the gum line and moved in a circular motion along each individual tooth surface. When flossing, 18 inches of floss should be wound around the middle fingers and pinched between the thumbs and index fingers. One to two inches of space should be left between the fingers. Direct the floss between the teeth to remove any lodged particles of food.
