Preventative Dentistry

Preventative dentistry seeks to stop dental problems before they arise. By maintaining a healthy oral routine and establishing good habits, you can decrease the likelihood of developing more serious problems down the road.

Fluoride has been a great benefit to patients of all ages in helping prevent dental decay. Regular brushing and flossing lowers the chance of developing "cavities."

At Kneib Dentistry, we know that the most decay-prone areas of teeth are the grooves and depressions on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth, which require further preventive care.

To prevent decay, a plastic-like coating called a sealant should be painted on the chewing surfaces of all the back teeth. Studies have shown that sealants can reduce tooth decay by as much as 90% to 100%.

The American Dental Association recommends, and Dr. Kneib agrees, that sealants be placed as soon as the first adult back teeth come in at age 6 or 7. Sealants should continue to be used as each adult back tooth comes into the mouth. All back teeth that need to be sealed are present by age 13. Sealant application is simple and fast.

At a bare minimum, adults should visit the dentist for a routine cleaning and check-up once a year. Children are encouraged to visit the dentist more frequently than adults, as their teeth grow rapidly during childhood and dentists can steadily monitor this development. Depending on your unique circumstances, you may want to schedule dentist appointments more frequently.

If you're visiting your dentist for a routine checkup and have healthy teeth, your dental cleaning should take no longer than 30 minutes. The average dental cleaning can take anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes.