Las Vegas Preventive Dental Care
Marianne Cohan, DDS, has been in dental practice for over 30 years, and Summerlin Dental Solutions has been here since 2005. Dr. Cohan and her dedicated team have learned a lot over the years. One of those is this simple truth—the easiest problems to solve are the ones that never happen.
While completely eliminating dental problems might be unrealistic, there is a lot we can all do to reduce their frequency and severity. That’s the objective of our preventive dental care program.
Preventive Dentistry Tips
Your regularly scheduled cleanings will allow us to give you customized suggestions based on your specific needs. Generally speaking, these are the basics of prevention for everyone:
Daily Brushing and Flossing
Daily brushing and flossing are the foundation of preventive dentistry. These simple habits play a huge role in keeping your teeth and gums healthy and in preventing serious dental issues.
Brushing your teeth twice a day removes plaque, a thin film of bacteria that builds up on your teeth. If left unchecked, plaque can harden into tartar, increasing the risk of cavities and gum disease. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste to brush your teeth for two full minutes. Be sure to tilt the brush at a 45-degree angle to reach the gum line while using gentle, circular motions.
Remember to brush every surface of your teeth—including the back molars—and your tongue to reduce bacteria and freshen your breath. You may want to consider using an electric toothbrush for added precision and efficiency.
Flossing can be just as crucial as brushing because it tackles the areas your toothbrush can’t reach. Food particles and plaque love to hide between your teeth, and that’s where flossing shines. To floss effectively, use about 18 inches of dental floss and wind most of it around your middle fingers, keeping one to two inches for working between your teeth. Gently slide the floss between each tooth, curving it into a “C” shape along the sides. Move the floss up and down to clean thoroughly but avoid snapping it to prevent gum irritation.
Brushing and flossing form a potent combination in your daily oral care routine. Beyond preventing cavities, these habits also combat gum inflammation and bad breath, protecting the health and longevity of your smile. By dedicating just a few minutes to these tasks each day, you’re making a long-term investment in your oral health.
Nutrition and Hydration for Strong Teeth and Gums
A healthy diet and proper hydration are an important part of preventive dentistry. What you eat and drink significantly impacts the health of your teeth and gums, playing a direct role in preventing decay and maintaining a bright, confident smile.
A balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals protects teeth from the inside out. Foods high in calcium, like dairy products, strengthen tooth enamel, while crunchy fruits and vegetables, such as apples and celery, naturally clean your teeth and massage your gums.
These tooth-friendly snacks stimulate saliva production, an essential component of oral health. Conversely, sugary or acidic foods and drinks are best avoided or limited. Soda, candy, and fruit juices can erode enamel and feed harmful bacteria, increasing the risk of cavities and gum disease.
Proper hydration is another critical piece of the puzzle. Drinking water throughout the day helps rinse away leftover food particles and sugars that can cling to your teeth after meals. Water also encourages consistent saliva production, which is your mouth’s natural defense system. Saliva neutralizes acids produced by bacteria, protecting the enamel and preventing dry mouth—a condition that can lead to cavities, and more serious dental problems.
You might replace sugary beverages with fluoridated water, which not only hydrates but also fortifies your enamel. Chewing sugar-free gum after meals also helps stimulate saliva and keeps your mouth fresh between brushing sessions.
By prioritizing a nutrient-dense diet and staying properly hydrated, you’re not only caring for your overall health but also protecting your teeth and gums. These lifestyle changes are simple and effective and can significantly reduce your need for invasive dental treatments down the road.
Call our Las Vegas office today at (725) 257-2022. We routinely serve patients in Summerlin South, Spring Valley, and throughout the area.
Dental Sealants and Mouthguards: Protecting Your Smile
Dental sealants and mouthguards are other important tools in preventive dentistry and offer long-term protection for your teeth.
Sealants act as a shield for your molars, which are often the most cavity-prone teeth due to their deep grooves and pits. These protective coatings are applied to the chewing surfaces, creating a barrier that prevents bacteria and food particles from settling in hard-to-clean areas. Particularly beneficial for children and teens, sealants can drastically reduce the risk of cavities and the need for fillings. They’re quick, painless, and an excellent line of defense against tooth decay.
Mouthguards, on the other hand, are vital for preventing dental injuries. Whether you play contact sports or grind your teeth at night, custom-fit mouthguards are designed to absorb impact and protect your teeth from chipping, fractures, or even complete loss. They add an extra layer of safety for athletes and help teeth grinders avoid long-term damage like enamel wear and jaw pain.
Both options not only safeguard your smile but also reduce the likelihood of costly and invasive dental treatments.
Award-Winning Dentistry You Can Trust
Dr. Cohan has been repeatedly recognized for the quality of her preventive dental care work. The Las Vegas Review-Journal has named her “Best Dentist.” She’s a 15-time winner of the Best of Las Vegas. Her colleagues think even more highly of her work—Dr. Cohan has been named Best Dentist in America by her peers.
Call (725) 257-2022 today to schedule an appointment. If your insurance doesn’t cover the visit, you can apply for financing through CareCredit.