Our teeth play different roles in our lives, from our aesthetic smiles to the ability to chew food and properly speak and produce sounds. Oral health is intertwined with overall body health. Maintaining healthy teeth through good oral hygiene can boost your general well-being.
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What Is Preventative Dentistry?
Preventive dentistry is highly important to prevent and treat dental conditions before they develop. Studies carried out by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show that over 40% of adults in the U.S experience pain in their mouths. In comparison, over 80% of people will have had at least one cavity by age 34. Additionally, patients in the U.S spend more than $124 billion on dental-related costs yearly.
Preventative dentistry is dental care that aids in the maintenance of good oral health while helping patients treat and avoid future dental issues. This means lesser chances of developing serious dental issues and cheaper dental care costs in the long run.
The American Dental Association advises that you check in with a dentist at least twice a year. However, people prone to dental issues may have to see a dentist more frequently. Preventative dentistry practices are done through teeth cleanings, examinations, x-rays and patient education. Regular brushing and flossing, a low-sugar diet and avoiding smoking or chewing tobacco are also helpful preventative dentistry practices.
Benefits of Preventative Dentistry
The earlier dental issues are spotted, the easier it is to fix them. Also, preventing dental issues or treating them immediately after they are spotted is less expensive. For instance, a small filling for a cavity is cheaper than getting a root canal, crown or tooth extraction.
Major benefits of preventive dentistry include:
- Being able to discover dental issues before they develop.
- Cheaper dental bills since major issues are treated before they worsen.
- Better-looking teeth due to regular cleaning.
- Lesser chances of mouth infections and tooth loss.
- Better oral hygiene through proper preventative dentistry education and practices.
In addition to assisting personal efforts to maintain healthy teeth and gums, professional and regular preventive dental care is crucial in detecting potential oral issues related to other health conditions such as arthritis and diabetes.
What Does Preventative Dentistry Include?
Preventive dentistry encompasses all dental procedures a dentist performs to lower the risk of developing oral health conditions that are both costly to manage and unpleasant. These services typically include oral health examinations, analyses, tests, diagnostics, and treatment (if necessary) to avoid developing more serious conditions.
At Cedarwood Dentistry in Midlothian, preventive dentistry includes the following dental services:
- Oral Examinations Or Checkups: Regular checkups are the cornerstone of preventive dental care. Vital dental areas are examined during oral examinations for any early indications of inflammation, bruising, periodontal pockets, or buildup above and below the gum line.
In addition, to assess the condition of the gums and supporting bones around the teeth, periodontal examinations are also carried out. Routine checkups help spot dental issues such as small cavities or larger older fillings needing replacements. - Dental X-rays: Diagnostic procedures like X-rays are carried out to determine if there is an underlying dental issue. Dental X-rays assess the severity of a dental condition and help develop the best treatment strategy for the patient. Dental X-rays help detect cavities, tooth decay and impacted teeth using low radiation levels to take pictures of inside the teeth and gums.
- Teeth Cleaning: This is a simple, painless procedure to remove plaque and tartar buildup on the teeth and between the teeth and the gum line. Teeth cleanings help prevent gum infections (gingivitis) and give the teeth a better appearance.
- Fluoride Treatment: Fluoride is applied to teeth to decrease the risk of cavities and strengthen the enamel (the outer teeth layer).
- Oral Hygiene Education: This is built around providing accurate information on properly taking care of your teeth. Oral Hygiene education also helps spot lifestyle choices and poor dental habits that aid tooth degradation.
- Oral Cancer Screening: This is carried out to look for any early indications of oral cancer and is essential for patients who smoke or drink alcohol.
Issues You Can avoid With Preventive Dentist Visits
Proper preventive dentistry helps prevent problems with operative care, pain and infection by tackling dental issues as they develop. Preventative dental care lowers individual risk for the following conditions:
- Periodontal (gum) disease
- Gum recession
- Tooth sensitivity
- Teeth loss
- Tooth pain
- Oral health issues due to diabetes, cancer, osteoporosis and eating disorders
- Expensive dental care procedures
Maintaining good oral health has several advantages and should be essential to your overall health and wellness. Although it is easy to put off dental care, it is always simpler and less expensive to prevent oral health issues than to treat them.
At Cedarwood Dentistry, we are dedicated to saving you time and money by providing various preventive dental services for the entire family. Our services are built around the latest dental tools and techniques provided by the best dentists in the country.
Would you like to prevent dental issues and have healthier teeth?
Book an appointment with Cedarwood Dentistry or call 804-944-8522 today!