As the name implies, preventive dentistry refers to the maintenance of oral health in order to prevent oral health problems in the future. This may be as simple as flossing or brushing to take care of teeth and gums because oral hygiene and health affect the health of the entire body.
Studies have shown a link between gum disease and other conditions like heart disease, diabetes, respiratory disease, osteoporosis, cancer, and stroke. Both gum disease and heart disease can be prevented. Mild gum disease is also known as gingivitis can be avoided with proper oral hygiene.
It’s good to have regular dental cleanings as part of your oral hygiene routine whether you're at risk for the disease or not. You should also make sure to floss and brush your teeth at least twice a day. Additionally, you should change your toothbrush regularly and see your dentist at least every six months for check-ups.
It’s also better to prevent oral health issues from happening in the first place rather than to restore the harm after it has occurred. Also, you’re decreasing your danger of having enamel loss, cavities, gingivitis, and periodontitis.
In consultations with local White Rock dentist Dr. Lange we found out that preventative dentistry actually entails a combination of practices to be used at home as well as the dentist’s office that should be done by everyone. These practices will go a long way to improve your oral health.
One of the most important things you can do in the practice of preventive dentistry is to have a well-balanced and healthy diet. The food you eat is important for not only your oral health but the health of your entire body. For healthy teeth and gums, you should refrain from eating foods and drinks that contain too much sugar because they feed the bacteria that produce dental plaque. Instead, you should incorporate calcium-rich items into your diet to reduce the likelihood that you would develop jaw deterioration and gum disease.
You should also brush regularly and floss at least twice per day but make sure that you replace your toothbrush at least every 3 months. When brushing your teeth you should try to use a fluoride toothpaste as this strengthens teeth and prevents tooth decay. You should also use a fluoride mouthwash at home or speak to your dentist who can recommend a fluoride treatment that you can use at home.
Even if you brush your teeth regularly and floss twice per day, it is not impossible to still have oral health issues. This is why it's important to visit your dentist at least twice per year for check-ups. In this way, you would be able to identify any problems that may occur in your teeth and gums, and you would also be able to do a thorough deep cleaning of your teeth. You may not know about many dental issues that are happening initially because most dental conditions are painless at first. Many people only find out after the issues have undermined and caused considerable and irreparable damage.
When you visit your dentist you may need to have a dental x-ray performed to reveal any issues that may be too small to see with the naked eye. This may be particularly helpful because it means that you can identify problems at an earlier stage and handle them before they develop into two major problems that can affect your oral and overall health.
A lower overall cost – If you compare the costs associated with major dental procedures, at-home maintenance, and regular checkups are considerably cheap. If you invest a modest amount into preventive maintenance, you will be able to save yourself thousands in the long run.
Less Time and visits to the dentist – By incorporating daily habits of good oral hygiene, you can save yourself a relative amount of time spent on trips to the dentist. Additionally, many people would have to cancel other engagements of work and leisure to attend pressing dental appointments. You have the option to maintain daily oral health and sitting in a dental chair for hours at the dentist’s office.
Little to no pain or discomfort – If you maintain healthy teeth and gums, you prevent minor oral issues that can develop into major difficulties in the long run, which include drilling, root canal, and crown procedures. These procedures may also have an uncomfortable recovery time.
We should all consider preventive dentistry. Despite, age, gender, or race, preventive dentistry will enable teeth to become strong and healthy.
Preventive dentistry will also assist with averting decay as we get older. If you are serious about your oral and overall health, you will utilize the available options, to help prevent tooth decay. Preventive dentistry is the only real solution to poor oral hygiene and health. It also allows you to keep your real teeth as you get older.
