Preventive dentistry is the best way to keep dental problems to a minimum. The best prevention, along with good oral hygiene at home, includes regular visits to your dentist for checkups and cleanings. Your annual or bi-annual checkup helps prevent decay from destroying your teeth. It also helps prevent gum disease. If you have the beginnings of dental problems, they can be identified and treated in a timely manner.

Neglecting to get regular checkups can prove to be costly and time-consuming in the long run. Small areas of decay can turn into seriously decayed and infected teeth. Early stages of gingivitis can be successfully treated with minimally invasive treatment. However, when neglected, it can develop into periodontitis and lead to bone loss and tooth loss. In fact, the major cause of tooth loss in elderly patients is untreated gum disease.

Regular visits to the dentist can prevent these problems from developing. Professional cleanings remove plaque and tartar buildup that causes gum disease. These cleanings also give the hygienist and dentist a baseline for possible gingivitis if there are pockets developing between the teeth and gums.

Comprehensive Dental Exams

A thorough examination of your teeth, gums and soft tissues of the mouth saves you time and money. If a problem is identified during your visit, it can be addressed right away before it has time to develop into a major dental issue. Diagnostic x-rays allow the dentist to see what is happening below the surface of your teeth and gums.

Dr. Perkins uses cutting-edge dental tools, which provide even more information about your oral health than the traditional mouth mirror and dental explorer. With these high-tech tools, early diagnosis of certain issues is possible. He can observe hidden areas clearly and get a better view of what is happening in areas that are not readily visible to the eye.

Be proactive with your dental care, and schedule an appointment with Dr. Perkins today. Contact Smiles in Malibu to schedule your comprehensive dental exam and cleaning.