Preventative care is the keystone for a successful and long-lasting smile. When you come visit our office in Billings, MT, you can expect a high emphasis on preventing future dental issues. We focus on preventative care during regular general dentistry visits and during every other visit to ensure your continuing good oral health.
What Does Preventative Care Look Like?
Preventative care looks like Dr. Rath getting to know you and getting familiar with your oral health. This involves regular appointments that are thorough and friendly. When Dr. Rath is familiar with your smile, she can recognize when something may be off with your oral health.
Much of preventative care happens during general dentistry appointments where Dr. Rath and her all-female team of hygienists clean and examine your teeth. This is also when Dr. Rath gets to talk to you and gets to know you.
She wants to be a friendly face to you, so if you have questions or concerns about the health of your smile, you feel comfortable reaching out. That is why she spends time getting to know you and your family, not just your smile.
The Benefits of Preventative Care
Preventative dental care is the cornerstone of maintaining a healthy smile and avoiding more serious oral health issues down the road. Regular checkups, cleanings, and good oral hygiene practices are essential not only for your teeth but also for your overall well-being. Here’s why preventative care is so important:
Early Detection of Problems
Routine dental visits allow your dentist to catch potential issues like cavities, gum disease, or oral cancer early, before they develop into more serious conditions. Early detection often means less invasive and more cost-effective treatments.
Saves Time and Money
Preventing problems is far less costly and time-consuming than treating advanced dental issues. A small cavity caught early, for instance, may only require a simple filling, whereas untreated decay could lead to the need for a root canal, full dental crown, or even tooth loss.
Maintains Oral Health
Preventative care keeps your teeth and gums healthy by removing plaque and tartar buildup during professional cleanings. This reduces the risk of cavities, gum disease, and bad breath.
Supports Overall Health
Oral health is closely linked to overall health. Conditions like gum disease have been associated with systemic issues such as heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. By maintaining good oral hygiene, you’re contributing to your body’s overall well-being.
Preserves Your Smile
Regular cleanings and exams help maintain the appearance of your smile by preventing stains, tooth decay, and gum recession. A healthy, bright smile boosts confidence and contributes to your quality of life.
Investing in preventative care today can save you from discomfort, complex procedures, and higher costs in the future. Schedule your next dental checkup to keep your smile healthy and radiant for years to come.
The Connection Between Your Body and Your Smile
Preventative care acknowledges that your smile and your teeth are part of your body. Keeping your smile healthy and protecting it from damage is a key part of your overall health. Poor dental health is connected to many issues, such as:
- Diabetes | Diabetes and gum disease have a close link. Often, if you have diabetes it can worsen your gums. According to the Mayo Clinic, gum disease affects how you process sugars, increasing your chances of diabetes.
- Alzheimer’s | Alzheimer’s disease often worsens your oral health, it can even be one of the first signs of the disease.
- Poor Diet | If you can’t eat a balanced diet because of weak or missing teeth, your diet may suffer, which can in turn make your smile even less healthy.
- Poor Digestion | Pain in your smile or a misaligned smile makes it harder for your body to chew and therefore digest your food.
- Respiratory Diseases | Certain germs can affect your lungs if they are left to multiply in your mouth, causing respiratory problems.
- Cardiovascular Diseases | Inflammation in your gums and mouth has been linked to inflammation in other parts of the body, such as your heart.
These are some of the many reasons that Dr. Rath prioritizes preventing oral health damage—it can have serious consequences. With preventative care, issues may still arise, but they can be managed before they have a lasting impact on your smile and overall health.
How Dr. Rath is Committed to Your Preventative Care

Preventative care makes our patient’s lives easier. That is why we have many different approaches in our office to ensure you are getting preventative care when you visit us.
Imaging Technology
We use precise digital X-rays and scanners to give your smile a thorough diagnosis. These tools provide immediate results that come with minimal if any, recovery time. We also focus on tools that lessen radiation exposure, ensuring your overall health.
Oral Cancer Screenings
We provide oral cancer screenings at every general dentistry exam. If you are ever worried that you have oral cancer you can schedule an exam even if you have had a routine appointment recently. Here are some signs we look for in your oral cancer exam:
- A new bump or lump on your tongue or on your cheek
- Red or white patches in your mouth
- Persistent sores or lesions
- Pain in your mouth or throat
- Unexplained bleeding
When we catch oral cancer early, we can:
- Offer minimally invasive treatments
- Prevent long-term damage to your mouth and teeth
- Provide less costly solutions and treatments
- Prioritize the health of your body
We also provide education on preventing oral cancer with suggestions such as a healthy diet and avoiding tobacco.
Periodontal Disease Management
Periodontal disease is a dangerous oral health issue, but if caught early damage is preventable or reversible. Part of routine exams is ensuring that you do not have any signs of gingivitis or periodontitis. If you do have periodontal disease, we offer several different forms of periodontal therapy to help your smile regain its health.
Restorative Treatments and Preventative Care
Restorative treatments are things like implants, crowns, and bridges, that restore damaged or missing teeth. They are important tools for preventing further damage to your smile. Restorative treatments can:
- Protect Your Gums
- Prevent Teeth From Shifting
- Lessen the Chances of Tooth Decay
- Relieve Pain and Discomfort
Sometimes restorative dentistry is necessary when preventative care cannot prevent dental damage, or when there was little preventative care provided. For example, if gum disease is not prevented, it can cause tooth loss or severe tooth decay that requires restorative dentistry.
To learn more about how our restorative dentistry treatments prevent oral health issues, visit our restorative dentistry page.
Preventive Care at Home
Taking proactive steps to care for your teeth at home can help you avoid dental damage and reduce the risk of emergencies. Here are some simple yet effective tips to keep your smile safe and healthy:
- Brush and Floss Daily: Proper oral hygiene is your first line of defense against cavities and gum disease. Brush your teeth at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and floss daily to remove food particles and plaque from between your teeth.
- Wear a Mouthguard During Sports: If you play contact sports or engage in activities with a risk of impact, use a custom-fitted mouthguard. This protects your teeth, gums, and jaw from injury.
- Avoid Hard Objects: Chewing on hard objects like ice, pens, or popcorn kernels can crack or chip your teeth. Similarly, opening packaging with your teeth or grinding them can lead to serious damage.
- Address Teeth Grinding (Bruxism): If you grind your teeth at night, talk to your dentist about a nightguard. This appliance protects your teeth from excessive wear and potential fractures.
- Be Mindful of What You Eat and Drink: Limit sugary snacks and drinks, as they increase your risk of cavities. Drinking water throughout the day helps wash away debris and keeps your mouth hydrated.
- Don’t Skip Routine Dental Visits: Regular checkups and cleanings are essential for catching small problems before they become emergencies. Your dentist can also provide personalized tips for protecting your teeth based on your oral health.
- Treat Dental Emergencies Quickly: If you are experiencing a dental emergency, reach out to Dr. Rath or another nearby dentist to be seen quickly. Visit our emergency dentistry page to learn more.

Prevent Damage to Your Smile with Radiance Dental
When you visit our office you can expect your preventative care to be taken seriously. Our patient education and compassionate team is here to help you have a healthy smile. Schedule a general dentistry visit or an exam with our beautiful office in Billings, MT, today!
About Dr. Rebecca Rath
Dr. Rebecca Rath was born and raised in Billings. She earned her Doctorate of Dental Medicine degree from Oregon Health and Science University, and after graduating she practiced in community health centers and private practices in Oregon and Montana. Learning has always been an important aspect of her practice, and she has continued that learning at the prestigious Kois Center, a renowned institute for advanced dental education focused on comprehensive patient care. She works with her all-female team to bring you compassionate dentistry in Billings, Montana.
