5 Types of Preventive Dental Care

As the name suggests, the goal of preventive dental care is to help you avoid common oral health problems so you can maintain a healthy smile for life.

Many oral health issues are caused by an invisible film of bacteria in the mouth called plaque. Plaque sticks to your teeth and gums, consuming sugar and using it to produce an acid. This acid attacks your gums and enamel over time and can harden into tartar.

The good news is that you have the power to practice good oral hygiene at home and make sure you see your dentist every 6 months for preventive care.

Here are the 5 different types of preventive dentistry we offer at Macatawa Smiles.

1. Teeth Cleanings

You can remove plaque at home by brushing and flossing your teeth every day. But only a dental professional will be able to remove tartar. That’s why it’s important that you see us every 6 months for your routine teeth cleaning.

2. Oral Examinations

During your appointment, we may take X-rays so our dentist can examine your jawbones and other underlying oral structures. This allows Dr. Habecker to detect any small issues before they have a chance to compromise your oral health.

For example, our dentist may see that a teenage patient has impacted wisdom teeth that need extraction before they crowd the rest of their teeth. Likewise, Dr. Habecker may notice signs of bone loss in the jaw if a patient is missing several teeth.

Our dentist will also examine your teeth and gums for any issues. You’ll also have the opportunity to ask our dentist any questions you may have about your dental hygiene.

3. Dental Sealants

A dental sealant is an invisible plastic coating that our dentist paints on the chewing surfaces of your molars (back teeth). While we typically recommend dental sealants for children, there’s no age restrictions for this procedure. This means that we’re more than happy to offer dental sealants for adult patients who may need the extra protection from cavities.

4. Oral Cancer Screenings

The American Cancer Society estimates that 54,010 Americans will get oral or throat cancer in 2021. This means that you can’t afford to not get an oral cancer screening during your next appointment at Macatawa Smiles.

Certain factors will increase your risk of oral cancer, such as:

• Smoking
• Alcohol Overconsumption
• Excessive Sun Exposure on the Lips
• Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
• Family History of Cancer

Keep in mind that even if you don’t have these risk factors, you may still develop oral cancer at some point in your life.

In general, the average patient diagnosed with oral cancer is 63 years old. But people have been known to get oral cancer much earlier in life.

If you have any risk factors for oral cancer, be sure to let Dr. Habecker and his team know so they can make sure you get your routine oral cancer screenings.

5. Sports Mouth Guards

Do you play a contact sport, like football or boxing? If so, it’s important that you ask our dentist for a custom mouth guard.

Unlike the generic mouth guards you can buy at the sporting goods store, a custom guard offers the ultimate level of protection.

A custom sports mouth guard fits the unique contours of your teeth and gums. It also cushions any impact if you get hit in the face during a game or practice.

The last thing you need is a dental emergency interrupting your season. If you haven’t already, schedule an appointment with our office to get your custom mouth guard as soon as possible.

Request an Appointment With Us

Dr. Habecker is an experienced family dentist in Holland, MI. As such, he’d be more than happy to help you maintain a healthier, more attractive smile for life. To request an appointment, please call Macatawa Smiles at (616) 396-7524. You may also fill out our online contact form and someone from our office will reach out to you soon.