We’ve all heard the old phrase, “Prevention is better than cure.” Preventive care is the best way to keep your teeth and gums healthy.  So it is the main focus of our dental practice. Part of our mission at Lakshmi Dental Health Care is to stop problems before they start.

 Preventive dental care is important throughout your life, no matter your age. By practicing good oral hygiene at home and scheduling regular checkups with your dentist, you can help keep your smile bright and healthy for many years to come. We provide comprehensive preventative services for every patient coming to our dental office.

• Eat a balanced diet, and try to avoid extra-sugary treats. Nutritious foods such as raw vegetables, plain yogurt, cheese, or fruit can help keep your smile healthy.
• Remember to schedule regular preventive checkups every six months for a professional teeth cleaning.
• Ask our dentists about dental sealants, protective plastic coatings that can be applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth where decay often starts.

 

If it’s been six months since your last dental checkup, then it’s time to contact our practice and schedule your next appointment!

Whether you wear braces or not, protecting your smile while playing sports is essential.  Mouth guards help protect your teeth and gums from injury. If you participate in any kind of full-contact sport, it has been recommended that you wear a mouth guard. Choosing the right mouth guard is essential.

There are three basic types of mouth guards:

• The pre-made mouth guard,
• The “boil-and-bite” fitted mouth guard,
• Custom-made mouth guard from your dentist.

When you choose a mouth guard, be sure to pick one that is tear-resistant, comfortable and well-fitted for your mouth, easy to keep clean, and does not prevent you from breathing properly. Our dentists can show you how to wear a mouth guard properly and how to choose the right mouth guard to protect your smile.

If you often wake up with jaw pain, earaches, or headaches, or if you find yourself clenching or grinding your teeth, you may have a common condition called “bruxism.” Many people do not even know that they grind their teeth, as it often occurs when one is sleeping. If not corrected, bruxism can lead to broken teeth, cracked teeth, or even tooth loss.

There is an easy, non-invasive treatment for bruxism: night guards.  Night guards are an easy way to prevent the wear and damage that  teeth-grinding causes over time.  Custom-made by your dentist from soft material to fit your teeth, a night guard is inserted over your top or bottom arch and prevents contact with the opposing teeth

FISSURE SEALANTS TO PREVENT TOOTH DECAY:

Sealants are a safe, painless and easy way of protecting your teeth from decay.  A sealant is a protective, tooth coloured plastic coating we apply to the biting surface of the back teeth, forming a hard protective shield. It is a quick and easy preventative measure that keeps food and bacteria from getting into the grooves in the teeth and causing decay.

Sealants are typically applied to children’s teeth as a preventive measure against tooth decay after the permanent teeth have erupted. However, adults can also receive sealants on healthy teeth. Sealants last from three to five years, but it is fairly common to see adults with sealants still intact from their childhood.

A dental sealant only provides protection when it is fully intact, so if your sealants come off, let us know, and schedule an appointment for your teeth to be re-sealed.

ORAL CANCER SCREENINGS:

Oral cancer screenings are a very important part of the dental visit for the patient. With the advances in modern technology, we are now able to pinpoint the start of a potential problem much earlier in its evolution. The ability to do so is extremely important in being able to treat any issues prior to them becoming a major irreversible problem.

Certain lifestyle choices can have a great impact on the health of tissues and your overall health in the mouth. If you are a smoker or have the habit of chewing tobacco make sure to get regular screenings when you visit the dentist.