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Preventive dentistry services may include:

• Regular oral exams, usually every 6 months
• Teeth cleaning
• Routine X-rays
• Fluoride treatments

Your dental plan may cover you fully for preventive care, depending on the type of dental plan you have.

As soon as a child gets their first tooth, preventive dental care can begin. Preventive dentistry for kids can help identify problems early on in your child’s life before dental problems become worse and often more costly.

Services typically include the following:

• Promote good dental habits—including brushing and flossing, guidance on thumb sucking, as well as advice on eating habits that help improve dental health
• Regular teeth cleanings and oral exams, usually every 6 months
• Fluoride application (usually up to a certain age)
• Sealants
• Routine X-rays to help track jaw and teeth development
• Fitting athletic mouth guards
• Referrals to orthodontists if teeth are crooked
• Referrals to other dental specialists as needed
• Helping identify related health issues that may impact a child’s dental health

Before scheduling a dental visit, review the details of your dental plan so you know what’s covered and when.

Regular preventive dental exams provide the following benefits to your oral health:

• Lowers your risk for developing tooth decay, gum disease, and more serious dental problems.
• Helps promote good oral hygiene habits, such as brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing.
• Early identification of dental problems may help minimize treatment and cost.
• Enables your dentist to do a full exam of your mouth, jaw, neck, etc. to identify any related problems.
• Helps reduce dental problems related to some chronic medical conditions. Diabetes, osteoporosis, certain cancers, and eating disorders can all have an effect on dental and oral health.⁴ For people with chronic conditions, regular preventive dental care is an important part of whole person health.

Preventive dental care is an important part of whole person health, so many dental plans cover it. When you’re choosing a dental plan, look for information related to coverage for diagnostic and preventive services. Make sure you understand the limits and frequencies for preventive care such as:

• Teeth cleanings: You may only be covered for 2 teeth cleanings a year—1 every 6 months. Some plans cover 4 cleanings per year.
• Fluoride treatments: These are considered preventive only for children under a certain age.
• X-rays: Only certain kinds of X-rays—usually bitewing—are covered as routine or preventive and only for a limited number of views. Be sure to check your plan or have us check for you to make sure you are using all of your preventative benefits!