Preventive dental care plays an essential role in the health of your teeth and of your entire body. If you fail to take care of your teeth then they will eventually become susceptible to decay and disease. Preventive dentistry is all about taking care of your teeth now to avoid serious problems later.
Many mouth and other health issues can be warded off with regular brushing and flossing and by visiting your dentist throughout the year. Successful preventive dentistry entails a combination of at-home oral care by patients with in office treatments and counseling by our dental professionals. Learn more about the benefits of preventive dentistry and why it’s important to maintain proper oral health.
Avoid Cavities
Cavities cause discomfort and take a toll on your teeth and overall health as time passes. The good news is that regular visits to your dentist and brushing at home can help prevent the formation of cavities in your mouth. The reason it’s important to visit your dentist in addition to at-home preventive care is that they can get to the hard-to-reach areas to remove buildup and plaque efficiently. A dentist can also apply dental sealants and fluoride treatments to your teeth to further protect them.
Prevent Gum Disease
You risk developing gum diseases like gingivitis (inflammation of the gums) and periodontitis (more severe inflammation that can destroy gum and bone tissue) when you allow plaque and tartar to build up on your teeth and gum line. Your goal is to catch gum disease as soon as possible so your dentist can take action and keep them healthy and well. Fluoride treatments can also help you avoid gum disease by combating erosion and making it easier to fight off bacteria in your mouth that causes disease.
Avoid Serious Health Problems
You may or may not know and be aware of the fact that many serious health conditions start in your mouth. Poor dental health practices make it easier for bacteria to get into your bloodstream and can cause inflammation in your body.
Some diseases that have been linked to poor oral health include:
- Diabetes
- Osteoporosis
- Heart disease
- Cancer
- Respiratory disease
Not only that but when you’re pregnant you also need to take good care of your teeth. Poor oral hygiene can cause premature birth and low birth weight.
Catch Jaw Problems
Another benefit of preventive dentistry is that you can catch jaw problems early on. You may not even notice when you have bruxism (teeth grinding) or temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. However, left unchecked and untreated they can cause you to have a misaligned jaw or headaches over time. A dentist can identify these signs in the early stages and recommend appliances that will prevent them from getting worse.
Save Time
You may not enjoy going to the dentist but it’s for your own good. Think of it this way, the better you are at preventive care and going to the dentist the less time you’ll spend in the chair overall. You can go in for a few minutes to have your teeth cleaned and checked over versus having to be there for hours to have a cavity filled or a root canal performed. You can identify issues before they worsen and monitor cavities when you go in for regular checkups.
Improve & Enhance the Appearance of Your Smile
You can also use preventive dentistry to maintain a bright and beautiful smile to show off. It’s not only beneficial to your overall health but also your appearance. You can use teeth cleanings to get rid of stains and maintain a good coloration of your teeth. Your teeth always look better after a thorough cleaning, even if you don’t perform a teeth whitening treatment on them.
Tips for Preventive Dentistry at Home
In addition to visiting the dentist at least twice per year, there are also steps and actions you should be taking at home to keep your teeth and mouth healthy. Your visits to the dentist will be more efficient and you’ll have cleaner and healthier teeth when you keep these tips in mind.
- Brush your teeth twice daily: This is one of the best forms of preventive dentistry you can practice at home. Make sure you’re brushing your teeth and tongue morning and night with fluoride toothpaste, and replace your toothbrush every three or four months.
- Floss every day: Get the floss in between all your teeth, including the ones in the very back, which are often the most susceptible to cavities.
- Eat a balanced diet: Your diet will also impact the health and cleanliness of your teeth. Avoid sugar, soda, juice, and simple carbohydrates, and drink plenty of water. Fruits, vegetables, and calcium will help your teeth stay well and strong.
Next Steps
Now that you know the benefits of preventive dentistry, we invite you to schedule an appointment for a cleaning and exam with our team today. Just as we can’t save your teeth without you, you also need us to keep your teeth in their best shape. Brushing and flossing are vital but are not enough on their own. No matter how well you maintain your teeth, there will always be places you can’t reach and problems you can’t see. That’s where we come in and can help. At Dental Excellence, we offer professional dental exams and cleanings to keep your teeth at their best. We remove any tartar buildup, examine your gums for signs of infection, polish your teeth to keep them bright and warn you of potential issues before they develop into serious problems.
We believe in creating and maintaining an ideal state of oral health for our patients. We put providing high-quality patient service as our top priority and take measures to ensure that you feel safe and comfortable while you are in our office and care. At Dental Excellence, we want you to be satisfied with the solutions we offer. With advanced technology and years of experience, we are confident that you will be delighted with your time spent here. Contact us today!