The Importance of Preventive Care

Your Bloomington, IN, dentist Dr. Lisa Baker believes it’s far easier and certainly more cost-effective to prevent dental problems from happening in the first place. Preventive dentistry is designed to provide you and your family with everything you need to preserve your natural smile. Some of the preventive dental services we offer include:

Routine cleanings

When you come into our office every six months, we will perform a professional dental cleaning with specialized tools that help us remove plaque and tartar buildup. Tartar is the hardened plaque that cannot be removed with your at-home toothbrush. If tartar is left on teeth and gums because you aren’t coming in regularly for cleanings this will eventually lead to cavities and gum disease.

Annual X-rays

Once a year we’re going to perform oral imaging tests to identify cavities between teeth, as well as infections and bone problems that we may not be able to spot with the naked eye. X-rays can also determine whether your wisdom teeth are coming in normally or if they will be impacted and need to be removed. X-rays can detect problems that we often can’t through a visual oral exam alone.

Oral cancer screenings in Bloomington, IN

Every time you come into the office for a routine checkup, you might not realize it but we also examine the soft tissue of your mouth to look for sores, lesions, patches, and lumps that could be warning signs of oral cancer. In fact, oral cancer is on the rise these days, even among younger populations, so it’s important that you come in every six months so that we can spot any of the warning signs early.

Patient education

Our dental team also knows the importance of good at-home oral care and that knowing how to properly care for your teeth and gums doesn’t always come naturally. Luckily, Dr. Baker and the team can show you proper brushing and flossing techniques, and recommend special products to support healthy teeth and gums based on your age, health, and other circumstances.

Are you looking for a dentist in Bloomington, IN, that can provide you with comprehensive preventive care? If you are ready to schedule a cleaning for you or your family, call Dr. Baker today at 812.332.2000.