Preventive Services in West Chester, OH
Regardless of your age, preventive dental care is essential throughout your life. Conscientious at-home oral hygiene can make the difference between outstanding oral health and a lifetime of dental problems. While personal oral hygiene is necessary, it is not totally effective unless it is combined with preventive dental treatment such as cleanings twice a year.
At the office of Joel R. Koch, DDS, one of our goals is to take time to help you understand the relationship between prevention and healthy teeth and gums. Staying a step ahead of problems with preventive care is the easiest way to minimize the risk of complicated dental procedures in the future.
- Why is preventive dental care so important?
- Why do I need a comprehensive dental exam so often?
- How often should I have a professional dental cleaning?
- How can I help my children clean their teeth at home?
- What other preventive services do you offer?
- Can you accommodate my schedule?
Why is preventive dental care so important?
The oral health benefits of taking care of your teeth are obvious, but protecting your smile with preventive treatments is vital for more than just a healthy mouth. 
Scientific evidence shows that chronic oral infections contribute to health issues like lung disease, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, arthritis, and low birth-weight babies. The link between our oral health and our overall bodily health is strong, which means that taking care of our teeth helps us take care of our whole body.
Preventive dental care is your best defense against developing gum disease, tooth decay, and infection. These conditions can be painful and expensive to treat, and the damage done to tooth enamel cannot be undone. By taking care of your teeth now, you have less to worry about down the road.
To schedule a routine preventive dental appointment with our West Chester, OH office, call us today.
Why do I need a comprehensive dental exam so often?
When we see you every six months for routine dental exams, Dr. Koch has an opportunity to monitor your oral health and treat any problems he encounters. Regular, comprehensive dental exams mean our office is examining your mouth regularly and watching for any potential red flags or concerns. When you keep current on your visits, we are much more likely to catch any dental health problems before they become too serious.
If you’re new to our West Chester dental office, Dr. Koch will spend some time talking with you so he can understand what your oral health goals are. Next, Dr. Koch will perform a visual exam to look for any obvious problems. Dr. Koch and our knowledgeable hygienists will always check for conditions such as loose teeth, bleeding gums, and inflamed areas of the mouth. If anyone sees an area of concern, they may recommend a digital x-ray to see what’s happening inside your tooth.
When Dr. Koch finishes his exam, he will discuss his findings with you and recommend a plan for treatment. These comprehensive preventive exams mean you will always be in-the-know about what is happening with your smile.
How often should I have a professional dental cleaning in West Chester?
Even if you take excellent care of your teeth at home, regular professional cleanings with a qualified dental hygienist are necessary to remove the plaque and tartar buildup on your teeth completely. For patients who have good oral health and no signs of gum disease, we recommend dental cleanings twice a year about six months apart. If you have a history of gum disease, we may have you come in for cleanings three or even four times a year.
If we do find gum disease during one of your visits, your hygienist and Dr. Koch will come up with a treatment plan based on your needs. More frequent cleanings may be all that is needed. But if you have advanced gum disease, we will recommend a deep cleaning treatment called root planing and scaling. Whatever your needs, we’ll work with you to get your oral health back on track.
Ready to schedule your dental cleaning? Call us at Joel R. Koch, D.D.S. today.
How can I help my children clean their teeth at home?
You have taken the right first step by being concerned about your children’s oral health. Most oral hygiene habits are learned in the home, and your children will start to watch and learn from you at a young age.
Encourage your children to make taking care of their teeth a priority. We recommend involving your whole family in a dental hygiene routine whenever possible. Make brushing and flossing a fun group activity your kids can look forward to each day.
To help your children clean their teeth at home, start by helping them brush for the right amount of time. Everyone in your family should brush their teeth for at least two minutes at least twice a day. Three minutes is typically the ideal amount of brushing time. If your children are very young, consider using a timer or a musical toothbrush to track the minutes.
Once you have mastered the basics of brushing, move on to once-a-day flossing. Show your children how to properly hold and handle the floss, keeping in mind that floss picks are often easier for small hands to grip. Learning to brush and floss properly will take some time for young children, so just be patient. Teaching your children these skills early in life is one of the best things you can do for their oral health!
What other preventive services do you offer?
In addition to cleanings and exams, we also offer other preventive treatments:
Fluoride:
Fluoride is essential for keeping your teeth strong and healthy. You are likely already being exposed to fluoride in your tap water, but if we find you or your children aren't receiving sufficient fluoride or you’re at higher risk for cavities, we may recommend a topical application at our West Chester dental office. Fluoride varnish, applied by Dr. Koch, provides extra protection against tooth decay when used in addition to brushing.
Dental Sealants:
A dental sealant is a thin resin-based material applied to teeth that are cavity-prone or that have very uneven chewing surfaces, such as molars. The sealant fills in these grooves to prevent food, plaque, and bacteria from collecting, minimizing the risk of decay developing. Sealants are most frequently used for children, but we can also use them on adults with healthy teeth.
Can you accommodate my schedule?
Absolutely! At Joel R. Koch, D.D.S., we know life is busy and that you have a lot on your plate. We have flexible hours during the week to accommodate both morning and evening appointments. We stay open until 7:00 p.m. on Wednesdays, which allows us to see working professionals and students who are not available during the day.
For your convenience, we also offer Saturday appointments and are typically open from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. We promise to work with your schedule to find an appointment time that works for you!
Please Call to Arrange Your Next Appointment in West Chester, OH
Achieving excellent oral health is possible for everyone, and it starts with prevention. If you’d like to take the first step toward making your teeth as healthy as possible, please call our West Chester dental office to arrange your next dental exam and cleaning.
We agree with the recommendation of the American Dental Association that states a child should be seen by their dentist no later than age one.
Dentists have used film x-rays for decades as an essential diagnostic tool. Today, we take highly detailed images of your teeth and other structures of your mouth using low-dose digital x-rays. The digital sensors we use to capture the images look similar to traditional x-ray film, but the difference is that they're linked to a computer.