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Prevention

PREVENTIVE DENTAL CARE

Preventive dental care is a team effort undertaken concurrently by the patient, the dentist and all other members of the care-giving practice. At Woo Family Dentistry, we are adamant about ensuring that our patients are informed and supported when it comes to proper preventive practices. Dr. Ronald Woo combine contemporary dental methods and tried-and-true practices to provide effective preventive dentistry at our San Leandro dental practice.

The recipe for good preventive care is not a complicated one. Consistent proper home care coupled with regular office visits are usually all it takes to maintain excellent dental hygiene. The biggest challenges are commitment and consistency. While it may be tempting to shrug off the urgency of good, consistent preventive routine dental care, it’s important to understand that more than just your dental health is at stake. Your general health is also directly affected by how well you take care of your mouth.

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PROTECTING OVERALL HEALTH

Take, for instance, gum disease (gingivitis and periodontitis). The repercussions of gum disease aren’t just limited to inflamed and sensitive gums. Persons suffering from gum disease are at a higher risk of stroke, diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiac disease. Gum disease can become progressively worse over time, evolving from gingivitis to periodontitis and, ultimately, advanced periodontitis. Even if you’re already affected by some gradient of gum disease, you can still use preventative care to stop the condition from intensifying and spreading. Do this by visiting your dentist at least 3 to 4 times and use dental floss or other specialized dental products to remove the plaque that accumulates between teeth and beneath the gum line, areas that a toothbrush alone cannot reach. Your dentist may also prescribe a chlorhexidine-containing rinse, which will keep plaque and gingivitis at bay.
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PREVENTION AND EARLY DETECTION

Another preventative utility employed by dentists are sealants, which prevent plaque from accumulating on the surface of the teeth causing dental caries (cavities). Fluoride treatments are also used in the dentist’s office to make teeth more resilient against decay. The application of fluoride accelerates a process known as remineralization which strengthens the tooth’s natural enamel.

Root canals are often completely preventable. If you fracture or chip or otherwise break a tooth, don’t delay; see your dentist as soon as possible, even if it doesn’t hurt. Early treatment may often result in a preventive measure forestalling the need for more intrusive procedures.
Good preventive home care, combined with regular check-ups and professional cleanings will go a long way towards minimizing the life-time costs of your dental care. You will enjoy a confident, healthy smile (that you earned) and better overall health.

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(510)-351-0931

(510)-351-0931

(510)-351-0931