Preventive dentistry: Your first line of defense for a healthy smile

Preventive dentistry is the best way to ensure your teeth remain strong and healthy. Caring properly for your teeth and visiting your dentist regularly helps prevent problems from developing and makes it more likely that any signs of cavities or gum disease will be diagnosed early. With diligent preventive care, your chances of a serious dental health issue are greatly reduced.

Types of Preventive Dentistry

Preventive dentistry includes anything that helps prevent problems from developing and that safeguards your oral health. This includes brushing, flossing, and regular dental check-ups. During your check-ups, preventive care includes X-rays, cleanings, fluoride treatment, digital photography, oral cancer screenings, and everything else your dentist does to keep track of the health of your mouth. These techniques help the dentist find and diagnose any problems before they become serious, making treatment easier and more effective.

Your at-home hygiene efforts are also an important part of preventive care. Regular brushing removes plaque and bacteria from the surfaces of your teeth. Flossing cleans between your teeth and just under the gum line while also massaging your gums to keep them healthy. If you brush your tongue, this eliminates even more bacteria from your mouth, helping prevent bad breath, cavities, and gum disease.

Additional Preventive Care

Your dentist will also screen for oral cancer during your regular check-ups. He’ll look for any unusual growths, bumps, spots, or lesions in your mouth. Early diagnosis is vital for successful treatment of oral cancer, so this screening could save your life.

Other issues your dentist will keep an eye out for regarding your oral health are gingivitis, gum disease, dry mouth, problems with the interior of the tooth, or inflammation that is visible on X-rays but might not be producing any symptoms. He’ll also keep an eye out for impacted teeth, root resorption, damage caused by bruxism, and signs that your teeth are out of proper alignment. By practicing good preventive care, you and your dentist can work together to be sure any problems with your oral health are spotted long before they become serious issues.

Call our dentist today to set up your biannual appointment with us!