Why Preventative Dental Care is Important

Why Preventative Dental Care is Important

Preventive dental care is essential to having a beautiful smile. Maintaining a healthy and beautiful smile requires vigilance, but this isn’t hard to accomplish when you follow a few easy guidelines. Regular visits to your dentist for checkups can prevent many dental complications that may otherwise arise, such as cavities, tartar buildup, gum disease, and tooth fractures.

Not only is it critical to your long-term oral health, but it can also save you a lot of time and money in the long run. If you schedule regular dental cleanings and checkups with your family dentist, your dentist can help you develop an individualized oral health plan just for you. Continue to read to see why preventative dental care is important.

What is Preventive Dentistry?

Preventive dentistry is the best way to protect your oral health from cavities, tooth decay, gum disease, and other dental concerns. It’s a combination of regular dental check-ups, professional cleaning, developing good oral habits like brushing and flossing. Taking care of your teeth starts early in childhood and, if established at an early age by seeing a pediatric dentist early on, good oral hygiene extends throughout adulthood.

Preventive Dentistry Services

Common preventive dentistry services include regular oral exams, dental cleaning, routine X-rays, sealants, and fluoride treatments. These services help to catch tooth decay, periodontal disease, and other problems early and restore oral health. Additionally, preventive dentistry can help to avoid cavities, gum disease, enamel wear, and more.

Fluoride applications help prevent cavities and strengthen tooth enamel, especially for children with a family history of tooth decay. Dental sealants protect the chewing surfaces of your molars from cavity-causing bacteria and debris. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), when dental sealants are used, they can reduce the risk of tooth decay by nearly 80% in molars.

Why Preventative Dentistry is Important

Did you know that poor oral health can lead to deadly conditions like heart disease, lung infections, diabetes, increased risk of cancer, and stroke? Many people don’t realize how some serious dental problems (such as gingivitis and decay) can be life-threatening if left untreated. If you neglect your oral health and teeth, you may suffer significant health complications. 

A preventative dental checkup is the easiest way of getting early detection for dangerous diseases such as oral cancer and monitoring your oral health. By keeping up with preventive dental care, you may find that you are able to have a healthy mouth.

Preventive care saves You time and money

There are many reasons people put off going to the dentist. Some people avoid seeing the dentist to save some money or time. However, by seeing the dentist regularly, you can avoid tooth decay or other dental concerns that require extensive care, and it will save you a lot of money in the long run. Because preventive care is less expensive than dental treatment for more serious problems, most dental insurance plans cover many preventive treatments at the dentist’s office. Even without dental insurance, a regular cleaning appointment—one form of preventive dentistry—costs less than having even a small cavity filled.

Leaving tooth decay to grow and spread will only get worse without proper dental treatment. In severe cases, if not remedied, it can even lead to periodontal disease and even tooth loss. The good news is that preventative measures help identify such concerns early on. As a result, you limit the required treatment and save time, money, and unnecessary discomfort in the process like an emergency dental procedure. It’s the easiest and most affordable way to keep your teeth tip-top shape!

Get THE BEST ORAL HYGIENE PRACTICES from your dentist

It’s not just how you brush your teeth at home that affects your overall oral health; it’s also what your dentist does during those regular six-month visits. Because only a dental professional can do certain things to keep your mouth healthy, it’s important to schedule an appointment every six months. Many dentists recommend appointments more often if you have special circumstances.

At this appointment, your dentist will help you prevent tooth decay and gum disease through a series of procedures, such as:

  • Clean your teeth by getting rid of any plaque and tartar build-up.
  • Conduct a comprehensive dental exam to carefully inspect your teeth and gums for any sign of decay or gum disease.
  • We’ll check your mouth and throat for warning signs of oral cancer, common oral health problems, or other health problems like sleep apnea and TMJ disorder.

Preventive Dentistry at the Dentist’s Office

If you’re overwhelmed with the number of dental products available at your local store, it’s time to make a dental appointment. You’ll find that there are many types of toothbrushes and toothpaste, but not all ingredients may be suitable for certain conditions or preferences. Your dentist can guide you in choosing appropriate oral hygiene products by reviewing your dental health history and current needs. Your dentist can also provide information about how best to use them, like brushing techniques (especially if you have sensitive teeth), best oral hygiene habits, recommended fluoride toothpaste, diet recommendations like cutting back sugar intake – which can lead to cavities!

Preventive Dental Care at Home

Dad daughter brushing teeth - Dentist Fairview

To make sure you have healthy teeth and gums, it’s important to do your oral hygiene routine at home between visits to the dentist. Here are some best practices for your oral care routine to keep your teeth and gums in good shape.

  • To keep your teeth healthy, brush your teeth for two minutes twice a day, preferably when you first wake up and just before going to bed.
  • Help prevent gum disease and cavities by flossing daily to remove food particles and plaque from between your teeth and around your gums where a toothbrush can’t reach.
  • Use mouthwash
  • Practice good oral health habits by  limiting your intake of sugary or acidic drinks and snacks and eat a healthy diet including plenty of fruit and vegetables (think leafy greens like broccoli and kale). Doing so will prevent gum inflammation and tooth decay.
  • If you enjoy contact sports, you should wear a mouth guard to protect your teeth and gums. The mouth guard should fit you properly, so it is recommended to have it professionally made by your dentist.

Get your social life back

Maintaining a healthy smile can have profound effects on your life. There’s nothing like having fresh breath and straight teeth to make you feel confident in every area of your personal, social, or professional life. Sometimes all it takes is just seeing your dentist twice a year, and we’ll make sure your oral health is in good standing.

Protect Your Dental Health with Preventative Care

To learn more about your options to prevent poor oral health issues with our preventive dental services, or you have questions about dental issues, contact us at our Fairview, TX office to schedule a dental visit with us today – 972-468-1440We’re currently providing preventative dental care in Fairview and the surrounding area of Allen, Lucas, McKinney, and Plano. We’ll be happy to talk to you about how we can create your perfect smile.