A lot of dental patients see us as a place they go when something is wrong. Whether they notice a cavity and decide they need a filling or they’re in pain that’s when we tend to see people! At Really Smile in Carmel we don’t want you to just react to dental problems – see us regularly to be sure they never happen!
We offer a variety of preventive treatments along with our comprehensive dental care. It’s important to take care of your oral health in the same way you would your overall body – by making regular visits to our office you can prevent expensive and painful work from being necessary later on!
It’s Not Just About Your Teeth!
There are more and more links between oral health and your overall bodily health. The care you receive at our Carmel dentist office can go a long way in preventing conditions like heart disease! Scientists recently discovered a connection between inflammation in the mouth and inflammation elsewhere in the body. The evidence points to the chronic inflammation of gum disease being connected to inflammation of the heart. They were also able to link regular dental care to lower risks of heart disease and arthritis as well!
You should also be aware of the connection between tooth loss and life expectancy! Tooth loss is an inevitable part of not getting regular dental care. It can be caused by tooth decay or gum disease, along with related conditions, and seriously disrupts your ability to eat well! Without proper nutrition your quality of life, health, and longevity decrease!
We consider these parts of your bodily health to be part of the work we do at Really Smile. Our goal for preventive treatment is to help you avoid these conditions by maintaining great oral health!
Preventive Treatments At Our Carmel Office
There are a number of things we do that are part of preventive care. The primary way we keep your teeth healthy over time is with regular cleanings and exams. By seeing you every six months we’re able to build up a treatment history and know exactly when anything changes. This allows us to address potential problems before they ever occur!
Depending on the results of X-rays and other imaging and screening we perform at your exams we can also give you advice on how to care for your teeth between appointments, steps to take to ensure you stay healthy, and answer any questions about your oral health that you have. A continued open conversation between you and your dentist is an essential part of good health!
We also use preventive treatments like dental sealants and fluoride to keep your teeth healthy between visits. Dental sealants are made of the same composite resin that we use to make our tooth-colored fillings. Our sealants are placed in the chewing surfaces of your molars and premolars in order to stop cavities from forming in those hard-to-reach grooves. The chewing surfaces of your teeth are some of the most common places to develop cavities and sealants do an amazing job at preventing them!
Fluoride is a fundamental part of protecting your teeth. It’s in your water, your toothpaste, and it’s available at our Carmel dentist office as well! Fluoride has the unique ability to “remineralize” the enamel on your teeth. Remineralization involves actually rebuilding it, something that is essential with the constant wear and tear on your teeth over time! We recommend fluoride treatments once a year unless you’re at risk for cavities. For some patients we’ll prescribe special extra-strength fluoride toothpaste or more frequent in-office treatments.
An Ounce Of Prevention …
It really is worth a pound of cure, especially when it comes to your teeth! Almost all dental health conditions are preventable – so much so that you can easily maintain a healthy mouth with regular cleanings, good home care, and a good diet.
Don’t let your teeth be ruined when it’s so easy to keep them healthy! Call Really Smile today at 317-597-8748 or request an appointment by filling out our online form. We look forward to seeing you soon!
Dr. David A. Smith explains his vision of life-changing dentistry for Really Smile Dental: