The Importance of Preventive Care

For many people, the idea of seeing a dentist brings anxiety and feelings of dread. However, preventive dental care is very important. Dr. Todd Vaccaro and Dr. Megan Curran at Vaccaro Family Dentistry, located in Niskayuna, NY, offer preventive dental services from a family dentist you can trust that are key to long-term oral health.

Preventive Dental Care

Preventive dental care involves actions on your part and the part of your dentist to prevent oral diseases and maintain a healthy smile.

Your family dentist, Dr. Vacarro or Dr. Curran, in Niskayuna, NY, are providing preventive care with services like:

• Routine dental check-ups
• X-rays
• Professional cleanings
• Fluoride treatments
• Sealants

Each service allows your dentist to monitor your oral health, prevent new diseases, promote healthy habits, and catch any signs of oral disease early. In addition, these services will prevent any worsening problems and possibly reverse an issue.

Routine Dental Check-Up

When you visit your dentist for a check-up, they will perform an oral exam to ensure there are no signs of decay or gum disease, wear and tear on teeth, improper alignments, soft tissues disease, and more. It is recommended to have routine dental check-ups twice a year.

Preventive Care at Home

Outside of the dental chair, you are also responsible for your preventive care at home. Maintaining excellent and effective oral hygiene habits is essential to keeping your teeth and gums healthy between dentist appointments.

These good oral habits include:

• Brushing your teeth twice daily.
• Using fluoride toothpaste.
• Flossing at least once per day.
• Avoiding smoking and chewing tobacco.
• Eating a balanced diet.
• Avoiding sugary food and drinks.
• Avoiding starch and high carbohydrate snacks.
• Drinking plenty of water throughout the day.

Benefits of Preventive Dentistry

Preventive dentistry reduces your risk of developing the following conditions:

• Gum disease
• Tooth decay
• Receding gums
• Tooth loss
• Premature wear and tear of your teeth
• Increased tooth sensitivity
• Other oral health conditions
• Chronic health issues like diabetes and heart disease

As parents, it is essential to teach our children good oral health habits that start when they get their first tooth.

If it has been more than six months since you've had a check-up, call your family dentist, Dr. Vaccaro or Dr. Curran at Vaccaro Family Dentistry, located in Niskayuna, NY, to make a preventive care appointment today at (518) 377-3628.