What is Preventative Dentistry?
Preventative dentistry is maintaining oral hygiene and routine care to prevent dental problems before they start. Through regular check-ups, cleanings, and patient education, we aim to identify and address potential issues early. Preventative care focuses on maintaining the health of your natural teeth and avoiding decay, gum disease, and other serious dental complications down the road.
Why is Preventative Care Important?
Caring for your teeth and gums should never be an afterthought. Ignoring routine visits or simple daily habits can lead to painful, expensive, and time-consuming treatments later. With our preventative care in the Greater St. Louis area, we can protect your smile from common dental diseases like cavities or periodontal conditions and help you maintain strong, healthy teeth. Keeping up with preventative care significantly reduces the likelihood of tooth loss, infections, and unnecessary discomfort—allowing you to enjoy a bright, confident smile longer.
Services We Provide for Preventative Care in the Greater St. Louis Area
Gateway Little Smiles offers comprehensive preventative dentistry services to ensure your family’s oral health is always on track. Here are a few examples of how we can help prevent bigger dental issues:
Regular Check-ups and Cleanings
Professional dental cleanings remove plaque and tartar buildup that brushing alone cannot address. We’ll also carefully examine your teeth and gums during your visits to detect early signs of decay or disease.
Fluoride Treatments and Sealants
We offer fluoride treatments and sealants for extra protection against cavities. These simple, painless procedures strengthen enamel and protect against harmful bacteria.
Digital X-Rays
Our state-of-the-art digital X-rays allow us to identify issues that aren’t visible to the naked eye, such as tiny cavities, impacted teeth, or early signs of gum disease. The process is fast and efficient and significantly reduces radiation exposure compared to traditional X-rays.
What You Can Do to Prevent Dental Problems
While visiting our office for regular care is a great first step, there are several things you can do at home to keep your teeth healthy between appointments:
- Brush Twice a Day with fluoride toothpaste for at least two minutes to remove plaque from the surface of your teeth.
- Floss Daily to clean hard-to-reach areas between teeth and along the gumline.
- Maintain a balanced diet low in sugary snacks and beverages to minimize the risk of cavities.
- Drink Plenty of Water to help wash away food particles and keep saliva flowing, naturally protecting your teeth.
- Schedule Regular Dental Visits so we can monitor your oral health and address issues early.
Combining these habits with routine professional care is the most effective way to avoid more serious dental concerns.
Prevention is Easier Than the Cure
One of the biggest advantages of preventative dentistry is how simple and cost-effective it is compared to treating advanced problems. For example, a quick cleaning and sealant application might prevent you from needing a filling, or extraction later. Prevention protects not only your smile but also your wallet and your time.
By taking proactive steps now, you can avoid dental emergencies’ pain, expense, and inconvenience. Our mission at Gateway Little Smiles is to make preventative care as accessible and stress-free as possible so your family has every reason to smile.
Preventative Care in Greater St. Louis at Gateway Little Smiles
At Gateway Little Smiles, we’re proud to serve families in the Greater St. Louis area and the surrounding areas with gentle, compassionate, and effective preventative dentistry. Dr. Corey Hastings and Dr. Ashley offer personalized care tailored to every member of your family, from young children to adults.
We make your visit convenient and enjoyable with modern amenities, including digital X-rays, financing options through CareCredit, and fun extras like streaming services, headphones, toys, and a gumball machine with prizes for kids.
Schedule your appointment today and discover the difference that comprehensive preventative care in the Greater St. Louis area can make for your family. Call Gateway Little Smiles or visit us online to book your visit with Dr. Hastings or Dr. Ashley. Together, we can create a brighter future for your smile!
