Preventive dentistry is your foundation for a healthy smile. With regular cleanings and exams, small dental issues can be caught before they turn into large and costly problems. Preventive dental care, along with a diligent at-home brushing and flossing routine, can help prevent dental issues altogether. It’s these small investments in your oral hygiene that lead to a beautiful, healthy smile. Explore our full range of dental services to see how we can support your oral health journey.
Your smile deserves protection long before problems arise. Preventive dentistry focuses on maintaining optimal oral health through proactive care, regular checkups, and early intervention strategies. Rather than waiting for dental issues to develop into painful, costly emergencies, preventative dentistry empowers you to take control of your oral health journey.
At JAX Dental Studio, preventive dentistry forms the foundation of lifelong oral wellness. Dr. Charles Poblenz and our experienced team provide comprehensive preventive care designed to protect your teeth and gums, helping you avoid complex dental procedures down the road. With our commitment to continuing education that extends far beyond state requirements, we stay current with the latest preventive techniques and technologies.
Comprehensive dental care accessible to all families regardless of insurance type or coverage limitations.
Preventative dentistry encompasses a wide range of treatments and practices designed to maintain your oral health. The approach combines professional dental care with at-home oral hygiene habits to create a comprehensive protection plan for your teeth and gums.
Professional preventative services form the backbone of effective oral health maintenance. These services include routine cleanings, comprehensive examinations, fluoride treatments, and early detection screenings. Our team also provides patient education to help you develop effective home care routines.
Most patients benefit from preventative dental visits every six months. However, your individual needs may require more frequent appointments depending on your oral health status, medical history, and risk factors. Patients with gum disease, diabetes, or other health conditions may need quarterly visits to maintain optimal oral health.
Early detection represents the cornerstone of successful preventative dentistry. Many dental problems begin silently, without apparent symptoms, making regular checkups essential for identifying issues in their earliest stages. When we catch problems early, treatment options are typically more conservative, less invasive, and more affordable.
Common conditions we screen for during preventative visits include:
Early intervention often prevents the need for more complex treatments, such as root canal therapy or extractions.
Preventative dentistry represents a wise financial investment in your long-term oral health. Regular preventative care costs significantly less than treating advanced dental problems. For example, treating a small cavity with a dental filling costs much less than allowing decay to progress to the point where dental crowns or root canal therapy becomes necessary.
Insurance companies recognize the value of preventative care by covering most preventative services at 100%. This coverage typically includes routine cleanings, examinations, and basic X-rays. Many plans also cover preventative treatments like sealants and fluoride applications for children.
Your at-home oral care routine plays a critical role in the success of preventative dentistry. Effective daily habits support the professional care you receive during dental visits and help maintain the health improvements we achieve together.
Essential daily preventative care includes:
Diet choices significantly impact your oral health between visits. Limiting sugary snacks and acidic beverages helps protect tooth enamel from decay. Drinking plenty of water throughout the day helps rinse away food particles and bacteria while promoting healthy saliva production.
Every patient’s preventative dentistry needs are unique. We develop personalized treatment plans based on your risk factors, oral health history, and lifestyle considerations. Factors we consider include your age, medical conditions, medications, diet habits, and previous dental treatments.
Patients with higher-risk factors may benefit from additional preventive measures. For instance, individuals who grind their teeth might need night guards to protect their teeth from wear. Individuals with dry mouth conditions may require specialized fluoride treatments or saliva substitutes to maintain optimal oral health.
At JAX Dental Studio, our preventative dentistry approach goes beyond basic cleanings and checkups. Dr. Poblenz holds a Fellowship of the Academy of General Dentistry, a credential earned by only about 4% of dentists nationwide. This advanced training ensures you receive the highest quality preventative care available.
Our team combines years of experience with ongoing education to provide cutting-edge preventative treatments. We use advanced diagnostic tools and techniques to identify potential problems early and develop effective prevention strategies tailored to your specific needs. Additionally, our commitment to community service through the Donated Dental Services program reflects our dedication to promoting oral health for all patients.
Dental plaque is made up of more than 300 different types of bacteria.
Every dental appointment begins with a thorough cleaning from your dentist or dental hygienist. They will clean away plaque, tartar and bacteria, buff and polish your teeth, and floss your teeth to ensure that your smile looks bright and beautiful.
If you haven’t had x-rays recently, or if your dentist suspects that there may be hidden issues with your teeth, they may recommend that x-rays be taken. These images help our team see potential issues hiding below the gumline and within teeth.
After your teeth are cleaned and x-rays have been taken, your dentist will examine your teeth, gums, and mouth for any signs of oral health issues, like cavities, gum disease, and abnormalities of the tissues. X-rays will also be examined to ensure that every potential issue has been detected.
During your exam, your dentist will discuss with you the state of your oral health and any potential problems that they see. At this time, a treatment plan is developed. Your doctor will provide you with recommendations to resolve the issues and discuss the best treatment options for your lifestyle and budget.
If you need a follow-up appointment for a simple filling, more complex restorative work, or a cosmetic treatment, we can schedule your next appointment before you leave our office. We also recommend that you schedule your next cleaning in 6 months to ensure your smile stays bright and beautiful.
Dental sealants are a great way to fight back against cavities, and can be used on patients of all ages. These thin, protective coatings are applied to the chewing surfaces of your back teeth, where deep grooves make it difficult for brushing alone to remove all bacteria and food particles.
Fluoride treatments can be applied to your teeth after any cleaning. This mineral-rich treatment strengthens your enamel by attracting calcium and phosphates to your teeth, making them more resistant to decay and helping to reverse early signs of cavities.
Periodontal care is an essential part of preventive dentistry for maintaining healthy gums. Our team monitors your gum health during every visit, looking for signs of inflammation or disease that could compromise your oral health if left untreated.
If gum disease is detected, our gum disease treatment options range from deep cleanings to more advanced therapies. The first stage of gum disease, known as gingivitis, can often be reversed with proper care. More advanced cases require ongoing maintenance to keep the condition under control.
Athletes of all ages benefit from custom sports mouthguards that protect teeth during physical activities. Unlike store-bought options, our custom-fitted mouthguards provide superior protection and comfort, reducing the risk of dental injuries during contact sports and recreational activities.
Regular flossing allows you to clean an additional 40% of your tooth surface.
You need to brush at least twice a day for two minutes each time. While brushing, hold your brush at a 45-degree angle to your teeth and gums, and use small, circular strokes to clean the front, back, and chewing surfaces of each tooth. You should spend about 30 seconds on each quadrant of your mouth.
In addition, remember to replace your toothbrush or electric toothbrush head every 3-4 months, and to use an ADA-approved toothpaste with fluoride.
First, unroll about 18-24 inches of floss. Wind most of the floss around the index or middle finger of one of your hands. Then, wind the last few inches around the index or middle finger of your opposite hand.
Use your thumbs to pinch a 1-inch section of floss between your fingers. Gently move this section of floss between your teeth with a rocking motion. When the floss reaches your gumline, hug the floss against one of your teeth to create a “c” shape and move it up and down to dislodge plaque and bacteria. Do the same motion against the adjacent tooth to clear below both sides of the gum.
Next, gently remove the floss from between your teeth. Wind a new 1-inch section of floss between your fingers, move to the next tooth, and repeat.
Prophylactic cleanings are required for all patients. They are the regular cleanings you get every 6 months at your dental appointments. During most cleanings, your dentist or dental hygienist will remove plaque, tartar and bacteria from your teeth, buff and polish them, and then floss your teeth to remove any residual debris.
Periodontal cleanings are different. They’re only needed if you have periodontal or gum disease. This process, also known as a “deep cleaning” is done in two appointments, usually with half of your mouth cleaned at each appointment. Your dentist will scrape away plaque and tartar from between your teeth and gums, and smooth the roots of your teeth to eliminate pockets that trap bacteria. Unless you have gum disease, you won’t need a periodontal cleaning.
Most dental insurance policies will cover at least a portion of basic preventive care, and usually 100% is covered. Preventive care treatments include prophylactic teeth cleanings every 6 month, any necessary x-rays (usually once a year), and an annual or biannual dental exam performed by your dentist. For children, dental insurance policies may also cover the cost of optional preventive treatments, like dental sealants and fluoride treatments.
However, insurance policies do differ and it’s up to the patient to understand their coverage. Make sure you consult with your provider so you know exactly what’s covered and what will likely be out-of-pocket.
Preventive dentistry offers the most effective way to maintain your oral health while avoiding costly, complex dental procedures. Through regular professional care, combined with proper at-home hygiene, you can enjoy a healthy and beautiful smile for years to come. Our comprehensive preventative services, advanced training, and personalized approach ensure you receive the highest quality care possible.
Take the first step toward optimal oral health by scheduling a preventive dentistry consultation with Dr. Poblenz and our experienced team. Call us at (904) 396-4091 or complete a contact form to book your appointment and discover how our preventive approach can protect your smile.
Over 90% of American adults have had a cavity at some point in their lives.
