The most important type of oral care you can practice is preventive care, mainly because it works to prevent the most serious forms of dental disease. With routine brushing, flossing, and biannual checkups and cleanings, you can prevent most cases of tooth decay, gum disease, and dental emergencies. Dr. Chouinard is prepared to help patients of all ages achieve positive oral health in a calming and welcoming environment, so feel free to give our office a call any time to schedule your next appointment!
Routine checkups and cleanings are a staple for any oral care regimen. Visiting our office just once every six months for an exam and cleaning will give our team an opportunity to confirm the current condition of your oral health. After closely examining all of your oral structures, we’ll inform you if your current oral care routine is sufficient. Then, we’ll perform a detailed cleaning of your teeth and gums, making sure to remove any plaque or tartar we see.
Dentists like Dr. Chouinard are in a unique position to catch the early signs of potentially life-threatening diseases, including oral cancer. Since oral cancer is diagnosed in about 53,000 people very year, routine checkups are an incredibly important part of catching this condition before it has a chance to cause serious damage. Patients can develop oral cancer even if they don’t carry any risk factors. Our office closely examines your mouth for the signs and symptoms, then works with doctors in the area to confirm the presence of oral cancer.
After your cleaning is complete, we provide you with a basic fluoride treatment before you leave. Fluoride is a common mineral found in oral care products, but it’s also found in the foods we eat as well as our public drinking water. This is because fluoride has been proven to be an effective solution for protecting and strengthening tooth enamel. When practicing oral care, your toothpaste should always contain fluoride as an active ingredient.
Younger patients have a tendency to develop tooth decay more easily than adults since they aren’t as well versed in their brushing and flossing habits. Their molars and premolars are particularly vulnerable to decay because of the deep grooves and fissures these teeth have, which is also why they tend to decay and fall out first once you reach an older age. With dental sealants, we can provide additional protection to these teeth as they grow and develop. With one application of dental sealant, your child teeth can be protected for a minimum of 10 years.
Choosing the right oral care products is incredibly important, especially if you have to accommodate certain oral health issues. For example, choosing a toothpaste that caters to those with teeth sensitivity can make oral care easier, while those who more susceptible to tooth decay may need to incorporate an anti-cavity mouth rinse into their routine. Dr. Chouinard recommends the following products for his patients:
Dr. Chouinard recognizes that patients of all ages need comprehensive dental care, especially children. When you bring your child in for care, he and his team will make sure to be gentle, kind, and patient with your child every step of the way. Creating a good first impression for their initial appointment is crucial to ensuring positive appointments in the future. Our office is equipped with multiple treatments to help your child maintain positive oral health, whether it’s dental sealants, silver diamine fluoride, or pulp therapy.