PREVENTATIVE CARE
Preventative dental care refers to routine practices and treatments aimed at maintaining good oral health and preventing dental problems such as cavities, gum disease, and enamel wear. It includes, professional cleanings and dental exams, dental radiographs, fluoride treatments, dental sealants, and daily habits like brushing and flossing.
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Here at Benton Family Dental, we have 3 fabulous hygienists. Click here to meet them!
Each of our hygienists are very detail oriented and strive to make each visit enjoyable. An oral cancer screening is completed at every hygiene visit so you can leave the office feeling confident about your oral health!
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If you'd like details regarding these preventative services, click the links below.
CLEANINGS AND ORAL EXAMS
The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that individuals visit their dentist every six months for a professional cleaning and oral exam. These regular check-ups are essential for maintaining optimal oral health, ensuring proper function of the teeth and gums, and detecting issues early before they become more serious.
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Preventive care not only helps to avoid tooth decay, gum disease, and other oral health problems but also reduces the need for more complex and costly treatments in the future. Consistent dental visits support overall health as well, as oral health is closely linked to conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and other systemic issues.
RADIOGRAPHS (X-RAYS)
Dental radiographs (commonly known as X-rays) play a vital role in maintaining and monitoring your oral health. While a visual examination provides valuable information, it doesn’t reveal everything—especially what lies beneath the surface.
X-rays allow dentists to detect problems that are not visible to the naked eye, such as cavities between teeth, infections in the bone, impacted teeth, or issues below the gumline.
By identifying these concerns early, X-rays are an essential tool in preventive care, helping to avoid more serious and costly dental problems down the line. They are safe, quick, and highly effective in supporting a complete and accurate diagnosis.
FLUORIDE TREATMENTS
Fluoride treatments are a professional application of a concentrated form of fluoride—a natural mineral that helps strengthen the enamel of teeth and helps in the prevention of cavities. These treatments are applied by your dental hygienist during regular check-ups to give your teeth an extra layer of protection against decay.
Acids from bacteria, plaque, and sugary foods can erode the enamel,
leading to decay. Fluoride helps in the following areas:
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Rebuilds weakened enamel
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Reverse early signs of tooth decay
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Reduces harmful bacteria in the mouth
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By making the enamel more resistant to acid attacks, fluoride helps prevent cavities and supports long-term oral health.
SEALANTS
Dental sealants are safe, quick to apply, and completely painless.
Sealants are a thin, protective coating made from plastic or other dental materials that is applied to the chewing surfaces of the back
teeth—typically the molars and premolars. Sealants are commonly placed on the teeth of children and teenagers. Since cavities are more likely to develop soon after permanent teeth erupt, applying sealants early—usually between the ages of 6 and 14—can be extremely beneficial.
As adult teeth develop, it is sometimes likely that deep grooves and pits become present. This can be difficult to clean thoroughly, even with regular brushing and flossing. Sealants act as a physical barrier, covering these vulnerable areas and preventing food particles and bacteria from getting trapped in the grooves. By sealing out plaque and acids, they help prevent cavities from forming in these high-risk areas.
CONTACT US!
149 Portsmouth Ave
Stratham, NH 03885
603-772-3264
NORMAL OFFICE HOURS
Monday ~ 8AM - 5PM
​Tuesday ~ 8AM - 5PM
​Wednesday ~ CLOSED
​Thursday ~ 8AM - 5PM
​Friday ~ 8AM - 4PM
​Saturday ~ CLOSED
Sunday ~ CLOSED