Are you doing everything you can to keep your teeth healthy? Preventive and family dentistry services offered by your Washington, DC, dentist, Dr. Ralph Mazzuca, can help you and you entire household lower the risk of tooth decay and other dental issues.

How preventive dentistry can help your smile?

When it comes to homeownership, it is a common belief that it is better to prevent problems then deal with a major repair issue down the line. After all, a small leak is much easier and cheaper to fix than a major flood caused by a burst pipe.

The same principle applies to your teeth. Tooth decay, gum disease, and other dental issues can be avoided in some cases simply by taking a few preventive measures. For instance, a cavity may seem like a fairly minor issue, but tooth decay weakens the structure of your tooth and might increase the likelihood that you'll need another procedure or restoration at some point in the future.

Regular visits to your dentist help you protect your oral health in several ways, including:

• Removal of Plaque and Tartar: When you visit our Washington DC dental office for regular checkups, you'll receive a dental cleaning that will eliminate plaque and tartar in your mouth. Plaque causes cavities and can be a factor in gum disease, along with tartar. Gum disease causes pain, redness, and swelling in your gum tissue and can even lead to tooth loss if it's severe.
• Diagnosis of Dental Problems: Regular examinations help your dentist spot cavities while they're still small and haven't done too much damage to your teeth. He also looks for signs of other potential issues, such as cracks, loose fillings, dying nerves, receding gums, infection, and gum disease.
• Identification of Oral Cancer Signs: Checkups also include oral cancer screenings of your mouth and jaw. If your dentist notices any suspicious spots or lumps, he'll may recommend testing or refer you to a specialist. The exams can also provide valuable information about general health problems. (Eroding tooth enamel can be a sign of acid reflux, while bleeding gums can be caused by diabetes in some cases.)

In need of family dentistry services? Give us a call

Protect your smile with preventive dentistry! Call your family dentist in Washington, DC, Dr. Ralph Mazzuca, at (202) 537-1088 to schedule an appointment.