Preventive Dentistry in Columbia, MO

Dr. Wietholder and the staff at All American Dental promote the prevention of dental disease. It is much better for our patients if we can help them prevent problems before they occur. We do this in a number of ways:

• Regular dental cleanings (at least 2 per year) are a very important part of this prevention. Dental cleanings remove plaque and tartar from the teeth. This reduces the number of bacteria in your mouth, reducing your risk for cavities and bone loss (periodontitis).
• At your cleaning visit, x-rays are also taken to check for cavities. Catching cavities early can prevent larger problems later.
• Your hygienist can also apply a fluoride varnish to your teeth. Fluoride helps to strengthen enamel making your teeth more resistant to cavities. It is like vitamins for your teeth.

Going to your dentist’s office twice a year for examinations and cleanings are forms of preventive dentistry since these visits help catch problems before they can damage your teeth. However, the other dental services below also help prevent tooth decay and other dental problems too.

Fluoride Treatments

Dentists may notice damage caused by the acids that can cause tooth decay when examining your teeth. One of our dentists at All American Dental can recommend a fluoride treatment that can strengthen the enamel and keep your teeth strong.

Dental Sealants

Many parents in Columbia, MO decide to have their dentists add dental sealants to their children’s teeth to protect them from cavities. However, sealants are also great for adults who may be prone to cavities due to poor oral hygiene or diet. The sealants can help protect their teeth, as well.

Custom Mouthguards

If you or one of your children plays contact sports, then a custom mouthguard can protect teeth from sustaining damage. Our dentists at All American Dental in Columbia, MO are experts in taking the impressions that our laboratories need to create custom mouthguards that can prevent severe dental damage.

Custom Nightguards

If your teeth are found to have severe wear or cracks or if you report jaw pain, Dr. Stapleton, Dr. Wietholder or Dr. Schilke may recommend a custom nightguard. This device fits onto your teeth to help protect them while you are sleeping. Night-time clenching and grinding of teeth is very common but is also very detrimental to the teeth. Many people don’t realize that they clench or grind in their sleep, but the effects may be noticeable to your dentist during your exam.

Dental Cleanings

Once every six months, everyone should visit our dentists for a checkup and professional dental cleaning in Columbia, MO. Professional cleanings are important because they can help eliminate plaque and tartar from your teeth that can lead to tooth decay.

Preventing tooth decay can prevent the need for fillings, inlays or onlays, crowns, replacing teeth, and other expensive dental services. Following the cleanings, our dentists can provide you with instructions to take better care of your teeth and prevent the need for further treatments to protect them.

Preventive dentistry can help specific problems, or it can protect your overall dental health because of the dental problems it can prevent. If you don’t want to deal with tooth decay and its ramifications, speak to our dentists at All American Dental about getting the best dental care from them in Columbia, MO.