Importance Of Preventive Dental Care

Good oral health can impact your general health. Hence, preventive dental care is key to keeping your teeth healthy throughout your life.

Preventive dentistry refers to any activity that works to prevent oral health problems. The focus is usually to keep the teeth, gums, and mouth as healthy as possible to prevent tooth decay, gum disease, and other issues.

It involves a combination of regular dental check-ups along with developing good habits like brushing and flossing. This process starts early in childhood and extends throughout life.

Common Preventive Dentistry Services

Some preventive dentistry services include:

• Oral evaluations (check-ups)
• X-rays and Professional cleanings
• Fluoride treatments, especially for children
• Sealants, which are coverings that are applied to the top surfaces of permanent molars to prevent decay inside the grooves that naturally occur in these teeth
• Educational instructions and counseling provided by your dentist or dental hygienist, like techniques for proper brushing, flossing, and use of other oral hygiene aids, nutritional and/or tobacco cessation counseling, and space maintainers for children.

Components Of Preventive Dentistry

Preventive dentistry is multifactorial. There’s the dentist’s place and your roles to play at home, away from the dentist.

Preventive Dentistry At The Dentist’s Office

As regards preventive dental care, there are certain things that only your dentist can do to help you maintain a healthy mouth. This is why it is important to schedule regular cleaning appointments. The recommendation is usually a cleaning every six months, but in special circumstances, you may need to see your dentist even more often.

During this appointment or series of appointments, your dentist will likely conduct a series of preventive dental care techniques, such as:

• Cleaning your teeth to get rid of any plaque and tartar build-up. Screening you for oral cancer and other health conditions.
• Conducting any specialized treatment needed, such as fluoride treatment.
• Checking your teeth and gums for any sign of decay or gum disease.
• Checking your tongue and other areas of your mouth for any issues.

Preventive Dentistry at Home

There are several ways to use preventive dental care techniques at home, and many of them may already be part of your daily routine. First, make sure always to brush your teeth twice a day (once in the morning and once before bed) and floss at least once a day (preferably before bed.

Second, use an approved mouthwash to clean the areas of your mouth that your toothbrush doesn’t get. If you have a specific condition or dental health need, such as a dry mouth or tooth sensitivity, you should use a specialized mouthwash recommended by your dentist.

Third, try to avoid eating lots of sugary or acidic foods or drinks. The sugars from these easily build up on your teeth and can cause cavities and other issues. Fourth, ensure that your teeth are getting an adequate amount of fluoride. Most public water supplies today are already fluoridated. Still, if you are on well water or live in an extremely rural area, you and your family may need to supplement fluoride rinses to keep your teeth strong.

What Are the Benefits of Preventive Dentistry?

You can greatly reduce your risk of getting cavities, gingivitis, periodontitis, and other dental problems with good dental hygiene. This, in turn, can reduce your risk of secondary problems caused by poor oral health. Some health problems that may be linked to poor oral health are:

• Diabetes
• Osteoporosis
• Respiratory disease
• Cancer
• Heart disease.

In addition to reducing your risk for other health issues, practicing good preventive health can also help save money. While preventive dentistry may not eliminate your need for fillings, root canals, or dental implants, it can go a long way in reducing your need for these costly treatments.

For more information, you can visit our preventive care dentist in Culver City, and we will be more than glad to attend to your questions and queries. We are here for you.