Dental hygiene is essential to ensuring the long-term health of your teeth and gums. Although routine checkups and general home care can go a long way towards preventing dental problems, there are some things that only an experienced dentist can identify and address before they become major problems. This is preventive dentistry. These regular checkups bring to light potential issues before they progress into serious problems that cost more to treat later on. Additionally, preventive dentistry also focuses on identifying and addressing any risk factors for developing cavities or gum disease in the future. The sooner these risks are uncovered and addressed, the less likely you are to develop serious dental issues later in life.
What is Preventive Dentistry?
Preventive dentistry is an area of dental care that looks at preventing future dental issues. Preventive dentists focus on regular checkups, fluoride treatments, and dental sealants. They also educate patients on proper oral hygiene, nutrition, and lifestyle choices to keep teeth healthy. Preventive dentists can also diagnose and treat oral lesions, including oral cancers. However, some oral lesions can be signs of underlying medical conditions and should be evaluated by a doctor.
Preventive dentistry is particularly important for kids, paving the way for healthy teeth and gums as they progress toward adulthood. Dental exams and professional cleanings at an early age before bacteria have the chance to build up can ensure a lifetime of good dental health,
Why is Preventive Dentistry important?
Regular dental checkups and cleanings can help prevent cavities, periodontal disease, and other serious oral health issues. Your dentist may use one or more of the following ways to help prevent dental problems.
Regular teeth cleanings: The most common dental procedure, regular teeth cleanings remove plaque, tartar, and oral bacteria from teeth.
Fluoride treatment: Fluoride is a mineral that makes teeth stronger and less susceptible to decay. It can be found in toothpaste, mouthwash, gels, and even water.
Sealants: A dental sealant is a plastic covering applied to the chewing surfaces of your teeth. It creates a barrier to protect teeth from the bacteria and acids that cause tooth decay.
Nutritional counseling: Your dentist can help you choose the right diet for strong teeth and gums. They can also provide you with tips for proper oral hygiene.
Lifestyle counseling: Your dentist can help you identify and reduce your risk of developing dental issues. They can also inform you of any risks to your teeth and gums.
Preventive Dentistry | Dental checkup
The overarching goal of preventive dentistry is for patients to keep their natural teeth in as good a condition as possible, for as long as possible. Anything important in our lives needs to be taken care of for it to remain in great condition.
Normally the body’s natural defenses and good oral health care, such as daily brushing and flossing, keep bacteria under control. However, without proper oral hygiene, bacteria can reach levels that might lead to oral infections, such as tooth decay and gum disease.
Conclusion
Preventive dentistry is an important aspect of dental hygiene. It involves taking care of your teeth and gums to make them healthier. With regular checkups and good oral hygiene, you can reduce your chances of developing cavities and gum disease. During these checkups, your dentist will remove plaque and tartar from your teeth and apply fluoride to strengthen your teeth. They can also apply dental sealants to help prevent cavities in your molars. Regular dental checkups and cleanings can help prevent cavities, periodontal disease, and other serious oral health issues.
