Preventative Dentistry

Protecting Your Oral Health, Now and Into the Future

As an experienced family dentist in Boulder, CO, Dr. Rodger Miller wants every patient to know that your oral health matters, and not just to the health of your teeth and gums. In recent years, a growing amount of research has found a strong association between an individual's oral health and a number of chronic, long-term health problems. Studies have found that individuals who suffer from dental decay and disease have a significantly higher risk for developing a range of chronic illnesses that include heart disease, stroke, diabetes, dementia, arthritis, obesity, and cancer. While researchers don't yet know what links these health issues with oral problems like tooth decay and gum disease, one thing has become perfectly clear; taking care of your oral health matters, not only for protecting the state of your smile, but for protecting your overall health as well.

Fortunately, you can significantly lower your risk of dental decay and disease by following these simple steps:

  • Brush twice a day. Brushing works to remove harmful oral bacteria and food particles that linger in the mouth after eating from the surface of your teeth and gums. When allowed to build up, these substances can form into the harmful biofilm plaque, which is the primary cause of tooth decay and gum disease. By brushing twice a day, you help to prevent plaque formation so your teeth stay looking and feeling their best.
  • Floss daily. Flossing works to remove food particles and oral bacteria from areas of your mouth a toothbrush cannot reach, between your teeth, and below the gum line. While you may have read reports questioning whether flossing actually helps to prevent tooth decay, Dr. Miller continues to recommend flossing once a day to all of his patients. If you don't think that flossing plays an important role in protecting your oral health, consider that the most common place for cavities to develop is actually between your teeth.
  • Regular visits to our Boulder dentistry. Scheduling regular dental exams and cleanings with Dr. Miller and our team of gentle dental hygienists helps to ensure that you enjoy a healthy, great-looking smile for a lifetime. Regular exams allow Dr. Miller to spot the signs of tooth decay and gum disease early on while still easily treatable, and frequent cleanings provide our hygienists with the chance to remove plaque deposits from your teeth and along the gum line. When combined with quality oral hygiene at home, frequent dental visits offer you the best protection against disease and decay that could impact your health.

Fluoride Treatment

Dr. Miller may decide that additional fluoride treatment should be part of your individual oral health treatment plan. Fluoride treatments help to remineralize tooth enamel, thereby making your teeth less susceptible to effects of plaque and tooth decay. Numerous studies have reinforced the fact that fluoride treatment actually helps to prevent the damage caused by tooth decay by making your teeth stronger and more resilient in the future.

 

Dr. Miller may recommend fluoride treatment to patients who:

 

  • Take prescription medications that cause dry mouth as a side effect.
  • Suffer from receding gums.
  • Wear braces or are undergoing orthodontic treatment.
  • Are undergoing medical treatments such as chemotherapy.

Dental Sealants

Our teeth feature a number of crevices and fissures that can be difficult to properly clean, especially for younger patients who lack the attention to detail and manual dexterity needed to correctly brush. This can lead to the development of cavities in areas of a child's mouth most susceptible to tooth decay, such as the back molars. When impacted by tooth decay at a young age, a child's oral health development can become severely impacted and even delayed.

Dental sealants can help to protect the health of a child's smile. A thin but incredibly durable resin coating, sealants are gently applied by Dr. Miller to the surface of a patient's teeth at the highest risk for decay. Sealants effectively "seal" away the surface of a patient's teeth from plaque and tooth decay, enabling their smile to remain healthy and bright.

Dental sealants can be easily applied during just one session, and cause no discomfort to the patient or changes in eating. Sealants are so durable they can last for years before a reapplication is needed. Contact our office today to see if dental sealants are right for your child.

Mouth Guards

Children and adults who participate in sports should always wear a mouth guard to help protect their oral health from potential trauma. Suffering a cracked, chipped, or broken tooth as a result of a sports-related trauma can significantly alter the complexion and health of any smile.

At Valmont Dental Boulder, we offer custom-made mouth guards designed to fit your individual smile. Unlike boil-and-bite and other over-the-counter mouth guards, our custom crafted mouth guards will perfectly fit over your teeth, improving comfort, fit, and overall protection. Don't jeopardize the health of your smile by wearing an ill-fitting or poorly crafted mouth guard. Schedule your custom-made mouth guard consultation with Boulder dentist Dr. Miller today!

Our Location

Valmont Dental Boulder
4770 Baseline Road, Ste. 310
Boulder, CO 80303
P: 303-444-1914

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Our mission at Valmont Dental is to allow our patients a satisfying dental experience by providing a safe, pleasant and relaxed environment. Understanding our patients' individual needs and wants is the fundamental priority. With a sense of family and a sense of humor, our team will strive to make our valued patients feel better about themselves when they are in our presence.