Preventive Dentistry
People of all ages recognize the importance of plenty of water, rest, and regular exercise and the importance of routine checkups and eating of a balanced diet. Maintaining a healthy mouth is also an important step to a healthier life.
The Benefits of Preventive Dental Care for You
Preventive dentistry is all about keeping your teeth healthy and preventing dental issues before they develop. At NYC Smile Design, we focus on providing you with the tools and care needed to maintain optimal oral health. Routine dental check-ups and cleanings, along with personalized educational guidance, are key to helping you achieve this. Our preventive services include:
Thorough Oral Examinations: Regular exams help us catch potential issues early, ensuring prompt and effective treatment.
3D Digital Wellness Scans: These scans monitor changes in your mouth over the years, providing a comprehensive view of your oral health.
3D X-ray Technology: Advanced imaging allows for accurate diagnosis and treatment planning.
Professional Cleanings: Regular cleanings remove plaque and tartar buildup, preventing cavities and gum disease.
Dental Sealants: Sealants protect the grooves of your teeth from decay, especially in hard-to-reach areas.
Customized Night Guards: Protect your teeth from grinding during sleep, preventing enamel wear and other damage.
Sports Guards: Custom-fit guards provide superior protection during athletic activities, reducing the risk of dental injuries.
Incorporating these preventive measures into your dental care routine can help you avoid common dental problems such as cavities, gum disease, and enamel wear. This proactive approach ensures that your smile remains bright and healthy for years to come, enhancing your overall well-being and quality of life. At NYC Smile Design, we are dedicated to helping you achieve and maintain a healthy, beautiful smile through comprehensive preventive care.
Home Care
Daily home care is especially important before bedtime. We help teach our patients what is best for their particular situation. We want to help you develop a way of cleaning your teeth that fits with the way you live your life. There are a number of effective brushing techniques. We determine which one is best for you since tooth position and gum conditions vary.
Tooth Brushing
In general, a toothbrush head should be small, 1″ x ½” for easy access with soft nylon bristles with round ends. Some brushes are too abrasive and wear down teeth.
It is more important to brush 2x a day for 3-4 minutes than 5x a day for 1 minute. We recommend brushing at work by keeping a brush at your desk. If you brush with toothpaste in the morning and before going to bed, you don’t need to use toothpaste at work: You can just brush with water and rinse before heading back to your desk.
If you don’t have a toothbrush, rinsing with water for 30 seconds a minute after lunch is also helpful. Getting the debris off teeth right away is important in stopping sugar snacks and starchy foods from turning into cavities causing sugars and acids. We will make a recommendation on which type of toothbrush, manual or ultrasonic is best for you and let you know how often they should be replaced given the condition of your mouth.
Flossing
Flossing and irrigation remove plaque and debris between teeth. Dental floss comes in many forms, which all clean and remove plaque about the same. Waxed floss or ribbon floss (tape) might be easier to slide between tight teeth or tight restorations. However, the unwaxed floss makes a squeaking sound to let you know your teeth are clean. We will review which floss method is best for your mouth, including floss holders, threaders, and how often.
Other Solutions
There are many types of irrigators on the market. We will review which type is best for your particular situation, including benefits, value, and cost. The most effective irrigator on the market today is Proclaim. Proclaim is a custom-fitted, unique-to-you-mouthpiece and oral irrigator that can cleanse your whole mouth in less than 10 seconds and has been shown to be 13x more effective than flossing.
Recent research has shown that certain mouthwashes can kill the bacteria associated with tooth decay for a period of time. We often recommend it to prevent further infection during the period we are in the process of removing decay and restoring teeth. Chlorhexidine is highly effective against infection. When used for 2-3 weeks it can suppress bacteria for 12-26 weeks. Once daily (at bedtime) is adequate for bacterial suppression. For patients at high risk of dental caries, we may prescribe a special gel or rinse for daily and routine home use.
Oral Cancer Screening
Each year over 30,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with oral cancer. The disease kills more than 8000 Americans annually. As with many other types of cancer, oral lesions that are detected early offer a better chance for successful treatment, making oral cancer detection one more reason to visit your dentist regularly. We take the time to carefully evaluate the oral conditions present in your mouth and throat as well as your neck to screen for any abnormalities. We are able to take biopsies if necessary or to refer you to the appropriate specialist when needed.
Periodontal Maintenance
The #1 reason why people lose their teeth is undiagnosed periodontal disease. But, we know that 90% of all adults have periodontal (gum) disease of various levels.
The disease begins without warning, and in its early stages causes gums to become sore, bleed easily, and contribute to bad breath. As it progresses, teeth loosen and separate; your bite changes and teeth are eventually lost.
For this reason, we incorporate a careful regimen of gum evaluation into each visit. Our goal is to diagnose the progression of this disease and offer an opportunity for you to minimize bone loss and preserve your smile for a lifetime. This evaluation includes:
- Pocket depth measurement of the space between your gums and teeth; smaller is better.
- Evaluation of bone loss.
- Determination of tooth mobility.
- Measurement of gum recession or overgrowth.
- Determine the amount of inflammation present.
This data is recorded in our computer charting system. At a glance, we can review data that shows the changes that have occurred between visits; maintained health, disease progression over time, and improvements in periodontal health as a result of treatment. One of the main benefits of the computer charting system is that it quickly and accurately gives us the information we need to tailor our treatment approach.
Prioritize Your Dental Health with NYC Smile Design
At NYC Smile Pride, we are dedicated to helping you maintain your oral health through preventive measures that safeguard your smile against future dental issues. Dr. Elisa Mello and Dr. Ramin Tabib believe in a proactive approach to dental care, emphasizing the importance of regular check-ups and personalized preventive strategies tailored to meet the unique needs of each patient.
Expand Your Knowledge
The NYC Smile Design Learning Center page is your go-to resource for comprehensive and insightful information on cosmetic dentistry, offering expert guidance from Dr. Elisa Mello and Dr. Ramin Tabib to help you understand the wide array of dental treatments available, ensuring you make informed decisions for your smile makeover journey.
Book Your Consultation
We invite you to join us on a journey to optimal dental health. Schedule your appointment today and experience how our preventive dentistry services can help you preserve your natural teeth for a lifetime, enhance your overall health, and boost your confidence with a radiant, healthy smile. Let's work together to keep your smile beautiful and disease-free!