Preventative Care in Turlock, CA

With over forty years of experience and knowledge, Dr. Ratto understands that prevention is truly the best medicine when it comes to oral health. This is why he spends the extra time to educate his patients and staff about how nutrition, pH balance, and stress not only affect our oral health, but also our overall health and well-being. This is known as the oral-systemic link, and it’s something that he wants every patient to understand.

Dr. Ratto takes a conservative approach to restorative care, and this is why he puts such an emphasis on being proactive about your oral health with good nutrition and a neutral pH balance. With your partnership in your diet and home care routines, he hopes to help you maintain your own healthy teeth for a lifetime.

Oral Cancer Screenings

When you come in for your bi-annual recare appointments, Dr. Ratto will perform a visual oral cancer screening as well as utilize VELscope technology to look for any abnormal tissue that might need further investigation. VELscope uses a bright blue light that is shined into your mouth to allow Dr. Ratto to see any tissue abnormalities that may not be visible to the naked eye. The earlier oral cancer is detected, the better the chances are for successful treatment, and VELscope helps to catch it in its earliest stages.

pH Balance and Oral Health

Dr. Ratto also utilizes pH balance testing to determine the vitality of your oral health. pH testing measures the acid levels in your mouth. Maintaining a higher, or neutral, pH level (7.0 or above) helps to promote a healthier oral environment, while a low pH measurement (5.5 or lower) can lead to increased opportunity for oral disease and enamel erosion. Excellent nutrition can help you maintain a balanced pH level and healthy oral environment.

Caries Testing

Caries, or cavities, are the aftermath of the damage caused by tooth decay. If left untreated, caries can lead to further damage to your tooth and more extensive treatment to repair your tooth.

By utilizing advanced techniques, such as a Caries Free Screening test, Dr. Ratto is able to determine your susceptibility to decay. With this valuable diagnostic information, a measured and personal preventive or treatment recommendation can be made.

Caught in the earliest stages, Dr. Ratto is able to offer you the most conservative treatment for your teeth

At Progressive Health Dental, we focus on prevention and whole health. We want to be your partners and advocates in creating and maintaining optimum oral and overall health. Contact our office today to learn more about how we’re different!