Prevention is Key for a Lifetime of Oral Health
Preventative Dental Services
Proper oral hygiene does not only prevent cavities and periodontal disease, but also greatly affects our overall health and well-being.
PREVENTATIVE DENTISTRY FOR YOUR HEALTH
Oral Health for Overall Health
The main goal of preventive dentistry is to protect oral health against issues that may arise over time. There are a variety of steps that can be taken to reduce the risks of needing restorative care.
Along with at-home treatments, it is important to visit a dentist regularly. Even with the utmost care and attention paid on the part of the patient, there is no substitute for the knowledge and experience of dental professionals. After years in the dental industry, the team at Lifetime Dental Care has developed a keen sense for recognizing symptoms and warning signs that may turn into issues later on. It is not uncommon for our team of highly skilled professionals to notice an issue that the patient was not aware of.
At Lifetime Dental Care we pride ourselves on providing our patients with all the facts on hand. We believe that the best way to prevent issues down the line is through education. With all of your options in front of you, you can then decide what you would like to do to achieve your desired results. Though the choice is yours to make, you are not alone! We will answer any questions you may have and educate you on the potential pros and cons of the options.
Let us help you take the right steps to protect your oral health by giving us a call today!
Preventative Dental Services
Dental Sealants
The purpose of a dental sealant is to create a protective barrier on your teeth to help prevent decay. Since back molars tend to have grooves that are difficult to clean, sealants can be used to help safeguard them from cavities.
Whether you are a child who has never had a cavity or an adult who is constantly going to the dentist, Lifetime Dental Care can determine if you are a good candidate for dental sealants.
A dental sealant is a paste or gel that is placed on your tooth by a dentist. Usually, it is made of a specific type of plastic material, but sometimes other materials are used.
The dental sealant later hardens to create a strong coat over your tooth. If the dental sealant needs intense light to solidify, the dental professional will shine ADA approved lights on the tooth in the safety of the office. Once dental sealants have hardened they should be very durable and last for several years.
Prevention is the best type of treatment. Dental sealants prevent food and bacteria from getting into the little nooks and crannies of your teeth.
The back molars are particularly susceptible to decay since they tend to be rougher with more grooves and dips for breaking food down. These grooves and crevices can be very difficult to clean.
Children with teeth that have no decay are great candidates for dental sealants. Adults may also have sealants applied to teeth that are free of decay.
We’ve applied sealants to many patients from Richland, West Richland, Kennewick, Pasco, and surrounding areas. We know just what to look for to determine if sealants are a good idea for you.
After you have had dental sealants applied you should continue with good oral care.
REGULAR CHECKUPS
Regular checkups are very important so the dentist can make sure the sealants are holding up properly. The dentist will check the dental sealants during every visit to determine if they need to be reapplied.
ORAL HYGIENE
According to the ADA, even though your dental sealants are providing your teeth with some more protection, you still need to brush your teeth for two minutes two times a day. The ADA further suggests that you floss once a day to help remove sticky plaque and bacteria that can lead to tooth decay between your teeth.
Give us a call at (509) 628-1144 to hear more about how dental sealants can protect your teeth.
When you’re ready to come in for a visit, you’ll find that Lifetime Dental Care is easy to get to in Richland, WA.
Root Canal Therapy
Despite popular belief, a root canal procedure actually doesn’t hurt at all. If pain is felt, the root cause is actually an infection in the tooth. The purpose of the root canal therapy is to eliminate that pain. At Lifetime Dental Care we take extra care to make sure you are comfortable and pain-free during a root canal treatment and all dental procedures. With years of experience we know how to comfort even the most anxious patients and make the entire process as simple as possible.
With our office conveniently located in Richland you don’t have to go far to get great root canal therapy. Give us a call at (509) 628-1144 today to schedule a consultation and see what treatment is best for you.
FLUORIDE TREATMENTS
Just a small amount of fluoride can help prevent cavities and even assist in repairing teeth that are at the very earliest stages of decay. While you can get fluoride from some water supplies and supplements, to optimize the effects it is best to also have topical fluoride treatments.
Lifetime Dental Care topically administers professional fluoride treatments conveniently in Richland, WA. It only takes a few minutes and can greatly help in combating tooth decay.
When you are born and your teeth have not yet emerged, fluoride from water, food, and supplements, strengthens your tooth enamel. This, in turn, makes it easier for your teeth to fight off decay. This is a systemic benefit of fluoride.
Once your teeth have emerged, fluoride helps remineralize tooth enamel that has weakened and reverses the very early stages of decay. Dental products that contain fluoride – like toothpaste or mouthwash – topically place fluoride directly on your teeth. Foods and drinks containing fluoride also provide topical benefits to your teeth when consumed. With drinks, every sip covers your teeth with fluoride. During the chewing process of foods, fluoride mixes with your saliva and constantly coats your teeth.
A professional fluoride treatment is a great way to help combat cavities. Some people are more susceptible to cavities and could really benefit from professional fluoride treatments. Cavities may be more common due to:
- Genetics
- Particular composition of teeth
- Daily activities
- Active cavities
- Drug abuse
- Over consumption of alcohol
- Bad oral hygiene
- Eating disorders
- Not going to the dentist regularly
- High levels of cavity-causing bacteria
- Fillings
- Head and neck radiation therapy
- Bad diet
- Tooth roots exposed
- Defects of tooth enamel
- Dry mouth
In the office, a foam, gel, solution, or varnish is applied directly to your teeth. This coat strengthens the teeth and protects them from further decay.
HOME CARE
Even though a professional fluoride treatment helps protect your teeth from decay, you should continue to brush and floss as normal. The American Dental Association recommends brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing. Using products that have the ADA Seal are favored since they meet the ADA’s effectiveness and safety criteria.
OFFICE VISITS
Regular dental visits are also very important. Plaque needs to be professionally removed in a dental office to help stop tooth decay. Though the ADA suggests visiting the dentist twice a year, this may vary depending on your situation.
DIETARY GUIDELINES
Eating a balanced diet and avoiding excessive amounts of sugary foods benefits your overall well-being, and, in turn, helps support good oral health. Eating fluoride rich foods and drinks can work systemically hand in hand with topical professional fluoride treatments to keep cavities at bay.
Lifetime Dental Care can let you know if professional fluoride treatments are a good idea for you. The office is easy to get to from anywhere in Richland, West Richland, Kennewick, Pasco, and the surrounding areas.
Let us help you do everything you can to stop tooth decay and keep your smile looking great!
Oral Cancer Screening
Every dental examination includes an oral cancer screening. Dentists have been specially trained to identify irregularities that may need to be inspected more closely.
After years of seeing patients from all over Richland, West Richland, Kennewick, Pasco, and surrounding areas, Lifetime Dental Care has the experience and know-how to recognize abnormalities that may need more attention.
The screening is quick, but thorough, and painless. It involves an examination of the following areas:
- Back of your throat
- Tongue
- Floor of your mouth
- Roof of your mouth
- Face
- Jaw
- Neck
- Lips
If the dentist finds something unusual you may be referred to another office for further testing or re-examined later to see if there have been any changes.
It is important to have cancer screenings done regularly to catch any abnormalities early. Depending on the personalized oral care regime you and your dentist have established, you may need to have a more in depth, but still painless, screening.
Lifetime Dental Care works with the top medical professionals in Richland, WA to make sure you get the best service possible. If need be, we will get you in touch with the right office to look further into any issues that may need to be looked into further.
TOOTHPILLOW TREATMENT
Toothpillow Treatment for children was designed by expert airway dentists and myofunctional therapists to treat jaws non-surgically, improving breathing, sleep, and overall health. A recent study found that up to 93% of kids have malocclusion (crooked teeth), which is a visual sign of the underdeveloped jaws that cause possible breathing issues.
Because these issues are often related to smaller jaws and mouth breathing, it’s critical to train patients to shift to nasal breathing instead.
The Toothpillow System is a preventative, pre-orthodontic method that corrects and supports proper jaw development, promoting nasal breathing and preventing—even fixing—dozens of health problems down the road. It gets to the root causes of misaligned teeth, often without the need for braces or tooth extraction.
“Lifetime dental is simply the best! Every member of their team is polite and professional. They treat you as an individual not just part of the masses coming and going. Our family has been with Lifetime for over 10 years and we will see them for 10+ more!”
– Stephanie Gonzalez