What Is Preventive Dentistry and What Are the Benefits?

Heather E. Martinson, DDS • May 18, 2022

Since over a quarter of American adults have untreated tooth decay, it's more important than ever before to make sure that you aren't among them. Preventive dentistry is the best way to identify and eliminate cavities and other oral health issues.

Here, we're going to take an in-depth look at what preventive dentistry is and the types that you should know about. Read on to learn some benefits of proactively seeing a dentist in Arlington TX to nip dental health problems in the bud.

What Is Preventive Dentistry?

Preventative dentistry is a type of dental care focused on helping you maintain good oral health at all times.

Its core aim is to prevent future issues by catching emerging problems early. For example, an unchecked cavity can lead to massive decay, but preventative dental care would find this issue before major decay could take place.

Routine examinations are one way that preventative dentistry resolved issues before they occur. Preventative dental care can also help to teach you how to better maintain your oral hygiene. This is essential because you can develop good habits and minimize your chances of developing problems in the first place.

There are several types of preventative dentistry services:

Routine oral exams every 6 months
Regular professional teeth cleanings
Routine X-rays of the entire mouth
Instruction on brushing/flossing
Inspection of the gums and jaw as well as teeth

Preventative dental treatments are critical for all patients. Children and adults alike need regular inspections. Even those who had no recent oral health issues need to see a preventative practitioner to keep their teeth as healthy as usual.

A Reputable Team of Professionals

One benefit of preventative dentistry is that you regularly get to see a team of experienced and reliable dentists. Heather Martinson's DDS dentistry in Arlington TX is the best example of this.

Dr. Martinson herself has been helping patients for 25 years. She also has an education from both Southern University in Tennessee and the University of Texas at Arlington. Combined with the fact that she earned a Doctor of Dental Surgery at Loma Linda in Southern California, you know your smile is in good hands.

She also has certification from several organizations:

American Dental Association
Texas Dental Association
Fort Worth Dental Society
Academy of General Dentistry
American Academy of Facial Esthetics

When you see a preventative dentist, you get the benefit of knowing that you're getting the best care.

Promotes Good Hygiene Habits

Preventative dentistry with a reputable doctor has several benefits. The first is boosting your at-home oral hygiene practices.

Professional dentists can assess how well you are taking care of your teeth. They can let you know what you're doing a great job at. They also can tell you areas to improve and give you pointers for better brushing/flossing.

They also will be able to recommend new products that might help you. For example, certain brands of toothpaste work to prevent different dental issues. There are specialized toothbrushes for different individual needs.

Pre-Emptively Identifies Issues

When you meet with a preventative dentist, they'll do a full assessment of your mouth. They can catch cavities and plaque buildup early so that you can get treatment. This helps to limit the impact of these issues so that you can avoid unnecessary drilling, pulled teeth, and extreme procedures like full mouth reconstruction.

In addition to tooth-related issues, practitioners can also help you see if there are any problems with your gums, jaw, and bite alignment. They can treat your gums to prevent gingivitis and refer you to an orthodontist to help with other issues.

The best thing about proactive dental care is that you can take steps toward preventing dental issues from getting worse.

Saves Time and Money in the Long Term

Preventative dental treatments save you pain, discomfort, and long-term medical issues. It's important to note that they also save you both time and money.

Getting biannual checkups is extremely cheap compared to needing more serious treatments. In some cases, your insurance may also pay for proactive dental care. If you put off these checkups, you might find yourself shelling out thousands of dollars for surgeries, bridges, implants, root canals, and reconstruction.

Plus, the time that it takes to get a preventative checkup is under two hours. More intensive procedures can take several days or even weeks.

Remember that preventative treatment is an investment. It's going to pay for itself in comfort and safety. However, it also will limit your financial output and cost less in the long run.

Ensures Your Holistic Health

Bad oral health isn't just an issue that affects your mouth. It's a health problem that can impact your entire body.

For example, gum disease occurs because of bacteria that can get into the bloodstream. If this happens, your arteries can build up plaque that hardens and causes cardiovascular disease. This greatly increases your chances of a heart attack or heart disease.

Bacteria can also travel through the bloodstream and into the lungs. This ultimately can cause infections, pneumonia, bronchitis, and more. Diabetes is also more likely since bacteria can cause strange blood sugar irregularities.

Invest in Your Smile Today

While it's easy to let your oral health fall by the wayside, preventive dentistry ensures that your mouth remains healthy and your smile beautiful. Now that you know the core benefits of preventative dental care, it's time to begin seeing an expert regarding your dental hygiene.

Our dentists are committed to identifying and resolving potential issues related to your teeth and gums. Our objective is to resolve them quickly and cost-effectively so you don't need to worry about long-term problems. Contact us to book an appointment with the top dentist in Arlington TX.

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Dr. Heather E. Martinson

D.D.S

Dr. Martinson has been serving patients and improving smiles through her work for the past 25 years. She attended both Southern University in Tennessee and the University of Texas at Arlington before earning her Doctor of Dental Surgery at Loma Linda University School of Dentistry in Southern California. She is a graduate of The Dawson Academy in Florida and the Schuster Center in Arizona, and has completed several cosmetic, implant and restorative continuing education courses. Dr. Martinson has also earned certification in the American Academy of Facial Esthetics. This allows her to provide Botox and dermal fillers to her dental patients.

The favorite part of Dr. Martinson’s job is being able to work closely with so many wonderful people and help them become healthier! And also help them to avoid heart attacks and strokes!

Dr. Martinson is married to Captain Myron Martinson (formerly a pilot with American Airlines). Together they have several 4-legged kiddos. When she is not busy at work, she enjoys bicycling, gardening, cooking, entertaining and traveling with family.

Dr. Martinson maintains active membership in the following professional organizations:

The Dental Implant Process Explained

By Heather E. Martinson, DDS • May 21, 2025

Undergoing a comprehensive surgical procedure, such as a dental implant, can be a big step. Still, studies like one by Tobias et al. (2025) report over a 97% success rate , even after five years. These show that it can offer significant long-term benefits with a reasonable guarantee of retention. So, if you are searching for a reliable solution to a dental issue, Dr. Heather Martinson, DDS, may be the one to choose for state-of-the-art implant surgery, but what does it entail? Below, our dental implants guide describes the dental implant process step-by-step to help you understand and feel more comfortable getting the smile you want. Explore each stage, from the initial consultation to attaching the crown. Then, discover what you might want to discuss with Dr. Heather Martinson, DDS, to ensure you get the desired results. Why Dental Implants are Our Best Fix for Missing Teeth Unlike crowns or fillings, dental implants are not a simple cap on an existing tooth . Nor are they intended to be temporary. Instead, they replace both the tooth's root and crown , preserving the jawbone and structure of the face by offering a complete prosthetic that the body should accept as its own. Titanium posts integrate with the bone and offer a very stable foundation for chewing. This is one of the reasons studies such as those by Kupka et al (2024) have found that dental implants often last for decades, with 80% continuing to last for over 20 years. With crowns, you will still need to be careful of what you bite into in case the prosthetic detaches from the tooth. However, implants can often restore the full force of your bite. For this reason, Dr. Heather Martinson, DDS , and her team prefer to use these prostheses, eliminating several difficulties one might encounter with other options. How Gaps Affect Function and Appearance We understand that it can sometimes be tempting to leave tooth gaps as they are due to the perceived hassle of installing a new implant. However, missing teeth can drastically impact the mouth beyond issues with appearance or speech patterns, as it can cause the jawbone itself to start "sagging" where the tooth no longer exists. Teeth may also begin to shift position, leading to bite issues. Early restoration via a professionally-implanted denture can prevent this loss and maintain the face's proportions. Perfect for maintaining a youthful visage. Why Implants Outperform Bridges and Dentures Bridges and dentures are critical parts of a high-quality dentistry offering . However, they do not tend to last as long as an implant due to how implants preserve the underlying bone. This fact may go a long way towards explaining why the NIDCR in the US has recently discussed a " fourfold increase " in the number of adults receiving dental implants over two decades. Still, that doesn't mean discounting these options. If you feel a bridge or denture may be best for you, you should discuss your options with our dental team . Discuss the pros and cons of each option. In some cases, implant-supported dentures are also available , allowing for a combination of both. Dental Implant Process Step-by-Step at Heather Martinson DDS Our implant procedure steps combine: Consultations 3D imaging Surgical planning Continual checks for precision Constant coordination with colleagues Using these, we can ensure that your results are accurate and efficient. Initial Consultation and 3D Scan The first step is always to take a detailed medical and dental history . Using this, we can determine if you have any risk factors, such as smoking habits, that we need to be aware of so we can help maintain your safety. Then, we will assess how your jaw aligns to ensure we do not interfere with this. Our advanced scanner can capture 3-dimensional images of every part of your mouth for precision-planning, including: Jawbones Sinuses Nerve canals Details of prior surgery We can even use this to preview the final outcome before surgery, allowing you to understand the most likely results and give a go-ahead from a position of knowledge. Precise Implant Placement Before the final crown "tooth" can be placed in the jaw, you will require surgery to install the implant itself. This implant is the structure that sits in your jawbone, maintaining the visible crown's position while preventing it from moving. This step involves local anesthesia or other forms of sedation to ensure your comfort. Then, the dentist will create a path for your implant to sit within your jaw. The implant is up to 5mm in diameter and up to 13mm in length, meaning it is robust enough to prevent damage due to torsion or other forces. After the placement, the dentist will use sutures and a protective cap to shield the site. During this healing phase, the implant undergoes "osseointegration," which is the growth of bone cells around the implant surface. This process takes up to six months to ensure it integrates with the body. Once the dentist is sure that your body has accepted the implant, they will reveal the site of the implant and perform a scan to ensure that an external lab can produce a perfect crown for the area, matching your prior teeth as closely as possible. After the final attachment, you can review the tooth , offering feedback such as colour adjustments or determining whether it needs minor alteration to match your bite. Long-Term Implant Care The Arlington, TX, dental care experts can offer advice and guidance on the best steps to ensure that the implant lasts as long as possible and remains comfortable. However, should you need anything else , their clinic will be available for you to follow up, so ask them for more details on how you need to schedule follow-up appointments to ensure you get the best results. Take the Next Step with One of the Best Dentists in Arlington After learning the dental implant process step-by-step , you should understand what it entails and be able to make better healthcare decisions. With over 25 years of experience in Arlington, TX, we can ensure your treatment focuses on improving your dental health and restoring your natural and healthy beauty using the latest techniques and advances. If you want to investigate the possibility of an implant, remember that you can always request a free consultation with Heather Martinson, DDS. Following that, you should be able to begin your journey to regain your full chewing ability and a confident smile.