Preventative Dental Care in Billings, MT

Reinforce Your Smile With Preventive Care

It’s frustrating dealing with dental emergencies like painful cavities or cracked fillings. These events can disrupt your schedule, reduce your budget, and hurt your confidence. At Thomas Smile Designs, led by Billings, MT, dentist, Dr. Joseph Thomas, we’re committed to equipping our patients with a complete preventive toolset so dental problems never progress that far.

From young children still growing permanent teeth to adults concerned about oral cancer risks, our customized protocols help identify areas of concern early, when they are easiest to treat. With diligent daily care, thorough professional cleanings, and advanced technology to detect small issues, we can reinforce your smile against threats. Most importantly, we want to educate and empower our patients to feel in control of their health. Please call our Billings dental office at (406) 298-4485 today to discuss proactive smile wellness care for your whole family.

What Is Preventive Care?

Preventive dental care encompasses all of the services and home care steps patients can take to avoid the onset and minimize the effects of dental issues. Preventive dental care includes:

Routine exams
Cleanings
Fluoride treatments
Sealants
Mouthguards
And more

The core focus of preventive care is on prevention rather than reaction and the key components patients need are education and consistency. By understanding oral health risks and maintaining diligent daily habits supplemented by regular professional care, you give yourself the best chance for a healthy and confident lifelong smile.

Why is Preventive Care important?

Great preventive care from your Billings, MT dentist has profound, wide-ranging effects on your overall wellbeing:

Saves Money & Time - Treating existing issues like cavities or gum disease costs significantly more than prevention. Preventive care also takes less work chairside. You’ll make fewer emergency visits for discomfort.
Avoids Pain & Discomfort - If disease and decay can be thwarted before causing damage, you avoid unnecessary pain and complications down the road.
Supports Whole Body Health - Poor oral health is linked to inflammatory diseases, heart problems, diabetes issues, and more which prevention can help minimize. Stopping decay and infection protects your overall wellness.
Leads to Better Quality of Life - Nothing affects day-to-day confidence and happiness like your smile health and appearance. From eating to professional opportunities to relationships, preventive oral care has far-reaching lifestyle benefits.
Saves Teeth & Restorations - The ultimate goal is retaining your natural healthy smile for life, which proactive precautions make possible. With good home care habits and Dr. Thomas’s preventive protocols in Billings, MT, you can decrease disease risks drastically.

Our Preventative Services

Dental Cleanings

Regular dental cleanings are an essential part of preventative care. During a cleaning, our dental hygienist will remove any plaque or tartar buildup from your teeth. This process can help prevent cavities and gum disease.
Oral Cancer Screening

Oral cancer is a serious condition requiring immediate treatment. Our dental team will perform an oral cancer screening during your regular dental checkup. This screening is a simple and painless process that can help identify any potential issues early on.

Gum Disease Treatment

Gum disease can lead to tooth loss and other serious dental issues. Our dental team can diagnose and treat gum disease early to prevent further damage.

Oral Health Neglect: Costly Consequences

Neglecting proper oral hygiene and dental care can lead to a myriad of problems. If plaque and tartar continue to build up on teeth, it can cause inflammation and bleeding of the gums, known as gingivitis. This can progress to more serious issues, including:

Periodontal disease which damages the tissues and bone surrounding teeth
Tooth decay and cavities which allow infection to set in
Eventual tooth loss if decay and disease are left untreated
Bad breath, difficulty chewing, and nutritional issues
Bacteria from dental infections enter the bloodstream and spread to other parts of the body, leading to infections in other areas

Proper brushing, flossing, diet, and professional dental cleanings are crucial for avoiding these harmful consequences and keeping your teeth and gums healthy.

Maintain Good Oral Health Between Dental Appointments

Maintaining good oral hygiene practices is essential to maintaining good oral health. Here are a few things you can do to keep in good health:

Brush your teeth twice daily
Use fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush
Floss daily
Use mouthwash
Avoid sugary and acidic foods and drinks
Quit smoking
Drink plenty of water

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I visit the dentist for preventative care?

We recommend you visit our dental practice at least twice a year for regular dental checkups and cleanings. However, the frequency of your visits may vary depending on your individual needs.

Some people may require more frequent visits, especially those who are at a higher risk of dental issues due to factors such as age, genetics, or lifestyle habits like smoking or consuming sugary foods and drinks. Your dentist can evaluate your oral health and recommend a visit schedule that is appropriate for you.

At what age should children start practicing preventive dental care?

What should I expect during an oral cancer screening?

An oral cancer screening is a simple and painless process. Our dental team will examine your mouth for any signs of oral cancer, including lumps or lesions. They will visually inspect your lips, tongue, gums, cheeks, and the roof and floor of your mouth. They may also feel your neck and jaw to check for any abnormalities. If any suspicious areas are found, we may recommend further testing or refer you to a specialist for a biopsy.

Should I still get dental X-rays done during pregnancy?

Protect Your Smile Before Decay Strikes

Don’t gamble with your smile health another day! Tooth decay and infection thrive without proactive precautions, destroying smiles people rely on for a confident living. Take control and call Dr. Thomas’ Billings, MT office at (406) 298-4485 as a new patient or (406) 256-5165 as a current patient to schedule your consultation and discuss preventive care options personalized for your needs.

With regular professional cleanings, thorough exams, and diligent daily care, we can catch issues early when they are most treatable. Patients from Billings, and surrounding areas such as Laurel, and Shepherd trust us to help them maintain healthy natural teeth for a lifetime.

SCHEDULE APPOINTMENT

Address

1501 14th St W #215,
Billings, MT 59102
New Patient (406) 298-4485
Current Patient (406) 256-5165

Preventative Dental Care in Billings, MT

Reinforce Your Smile With Preventive Care

What Is Preventive Care?

Why is Preventive Care important?

Our Preventative Services

Dental Cleanings

Oral Cancer Screening

Gum Disease Treatment

Oral Health Neglect: Costly Consequences

Maintain Good Oral Health Between Dental Appointments

Frequently Asked Questions

Protect Your Smile Before Decay Strikes

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