Phoenix Pediatric Dentist

Preventive DentistryPhoenix, AZ

No matter the patient’s age, regular dental care and checkups are essential for maintaining oral health. Without professional cleanings and examinations twice a year, there is a higher chance of plaque building up and causing oral health issues. Preventive dentistry is a combination of professional cleanings at a dentist’s office and proper oral hygiene at home to prevent an infection from getting worse or spreading to other teeth. Preventive dentistry is available at Camelback Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics in Phoenix and the surrounding area. As a pediatric dentist and orthodontist, we can use preventive dentistry to help prevent a variety of conditions, infections, and issues that hinder one’s oral health. Along with that, we can catch the early warning signs of tooth decay or another condition and treat it. To schedule an appointment or learn more about preventive dentistry, call us at 602-595-3531 and schedule an appointment today.
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Benefits of Preventive Dentistry

Even though the recommended number of dental checkups per year is two, many patients are not able to receive professional dental care. In fact, the American Dental Association explains that around “100 million Americans fail to see a dentist each year.” In other cases, patients may need to receive more than two checkups per year. Preventive dentistry is a proactive approach to dental care that typically involves an examination and professional cleaning, among other possible procedures. With preventive dentistry, we can also treat the early signs of oral health issues. Benefits of preventive dentistry include:
  • Professional cleaning of the teeth
  • Removing plaque from difficult-to-reach places in the mouth
  • Identifying the early signs of infection or decay and providing immediate treatment
  • Determining if there are early signs of alignment or bite issues
  • Examining any pre-existing oral health conditions
  • Recommending how the patient can proceed to continue keeping their teeth healthy
In the case of a sudden toothache or chipped tooth, it is crucial to call us right away. We may not be able to prevent accidents from occurring, but we can provide dental treatment to help correct them. The sooner the parent calls us to schedule an appointment, then we can determine the necessary treatment plan.

The Appointment Process

Patients of all ages can benefit from preventive dentistry since tooth decay can occur at any age. For most appointments and checkups, we will need to review the patient’s medical history, current oral health, and any other health information about the patient that we need to know. During the initial cleaning of the teeth, we will look for signs of:
  • Plaque buildup
  • Signs of tooth decay
  • Bite issues or misalignment
  • Signs of infection
  • Damaged enamel that causes sensitive teeth
If we find any signs of infection or damage to the teeth, we will recommend the most effective form of treatment. If possible, we will provide said treatment in the same appointment. Depending on the severity of the issue, we may need to schedule a procedure on a different day after the initial appointment. Call us at 602-595-3531 to schedule an appointment for preventive dentistry and help your child continue to maintain healthy teeth.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I really brush and floss my teeth? No matter one’s age, people need to brush their teeth at least twice a day and floss once a day. On top of that, patients need to brush for at least two minutes per session. It can also be beneficial to brush the teeth after lunch, as well. By doing this, the patient can prevent the buildup of plaque on the surface of the teeth. Is it necessary to take care of baby teeth if they’re just going to fall out eventually? Yes. Even though baby teeth will eventually fall out, children need to take care of them. If a baby tooth falls out too early or becomes infected, this can negatively hinder the development of the permanent adult teeth. We can offer advice to help parents ensure their children properly take care of their teeth at home. How do I know if my child needs braces? As a pediatric dentist and orthodontist, we can provide children with braces when they need them. In some cases, children may need to wear braces more than once in their life. Typically, children will wear braces around 10 to 14 years of age. Crooked teeth may be one sign that a child needs braces, but our team needs to examine the child’s teeth to determine the most effective treatment option. If my child has the early signs of a cavity, can preventive dentistry help? Yes. After we treat all traces of infection, we can use dental sealants or fillings to protect the teeth. In other cases, we may apply dental sealants as an early precaution. With continued checkups at our practice, we can help children maintain healthy teeth for years to come.

Contact Us

Camelback Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics is located at 4901 N 44th St #101 Phoenix, AZ 85018 (602) 595-3531