Prevention
The best dental treatment is the kind you never need. Preventive care — the combination of professional cleanings, regular exams, and good daily habits at home — is the most effective and most affordable way to maintain your oral health over a lifetime. At Parsons Dental Care, prevention is at the heart of everything we do.
We take the time at every visit to assess where your oral health stands, identify any early concerns, and give you the practical information you need to take great care of your teeth between appointments. Small adjustments to your routine can make a significant difference over time, and we’re here to help you figure out what those adjustments look like for you.
Regular Dental Visits
Visiting your dentist twice a year for a cleaning and exam is the cornerstone of preventive care. Even with excellent home care, plaque eventually hardens into tartar that can only be removed with professional instruments. Regular cleanings keep that buildup from accumulating and give us the opportunity to spot problems — cavities, gum disease, cracked teeth, early signs of oral cancer — while they’re still small and easy to treat.
Dental problems rarely announce themselves with obvious symptoms until they’ve progressed significantly. A cavity that causes no pain at the early stages may require a root canal or extraction if left alone long enough. Routine visits are how we catch those issues before they reach that point.
Brushing and Flossing
Brushing at least twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and flossing once daily is the most important thing you can do for your oral health at home. Brushing removes plaque from the surfaces of the teeth; flossing removes it from the areas between teeth and just below the gumline that a toothbrush can’t reach. Both are necessary — one without the other leaves a significant portion of your tooth surfaces unaddressed.
Use a soft-bristled brush and gentle, circular motions. Firm scrubbing can damage enamel and irritate the gumline over time. Spend at least two minutes brushing — most people brush for far less time than they think they do.
Tooth Decay Prevention
Decay is caused by the interaction between bacteria in the mouth and the sugars and carbohydrates in your diet. The bacteria produce acid as a byproduct of digesting those sugars, and over time, those acids erode enamel and create cavities.
Limiting sugary and acidic foods and beverages — particularly between meals and before bed — reduces the frequency of acid exposure on your teeth. When you do consume them, rinsing with water afterward can help neutralize acidity. Choosing water over soda, juice, and sports drinks makes a significant difference for many patients, especially children.
Sealants
The chewing surfaces of the back teeth (molars and premolars) have deep grooves and pits that are difficult to clean thoroughly, even with careful brushing. These areas are among the most common sites for cavities to develop.
Dental sealants are a thin, protective coating applied to those surfaces that fills in the grooves and creates a smooth, easy-to-clean barrier. The application is quick, painless, and non-invasive — the sealant material is simply brushed onto the tooth and hardened with a curing light. Sealants can last for several years and are particularly beneficial for children shortly after their permanent molars come in.
Fluoride
Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that strengthens tooth enamel by incorporating into its structure and making it more resistant to acid attack. It can also help reverse the very early stages of decay before a cavity has fully formed — a process called remineralization.
Fluoride is present in most public water supplies, in most fluoride toothpastes, and in many mouthwashes. We also apply a concentrated fluoride treatment at your regular cleaning visits. If you are at elevated risk for cavities — due to diet, dry mouth, or history of decay — we may recommend a prescription-strength fluoride product for use at home.
Mouthguards
If you or your child is active in sports, a custom-fitted mouthguard is one of the most important pieces of protective equipment available. Athletic injuries are a leading cause of chipped and knocked-out teeth, jaw fractures, and soft tissue injuries — most of which are preventable with proper protection.
Custom mouthguards, made from impressions of the teeth, fit more precisely and comfortably than store-bought options, which means they’re more likely to actually be worn. Ask us about a custom mouthguard at your next visit.
If you grind your teeth at night, a different type of mouthguard — a nightguard — can protect your teeth from the cumulative wear and damage that bruxism causes over time. See our Nightguards page for more information.