How Preventive Dentistry Can Keep Your Teeth Healthy
September 12, 2019
Having good overall health can impact your oral health. So, how can you ensure your oral health is in optimal condition? Want to learn what the key is to keeping your teeth healthy for eternity? Well, it is pretty simple, this is where preventive dental care comes into play. So, what is preventive dentistry? What are the benefits? Continue reading to learn the answers.
Essentially, preventive dentistry is a form of dental care that helps patients maintain good oral health. It involves scheduling regular dental checkups and developing healthy habits (i.e. routine brushing and flossing). When you care for your teeth, starting from a young age these habits continue throughout the rest of your life.
Now, you may be wondering, what preventive dentistry services are offered by your dentist in West Edmonton. Preventive dentistry includes:
Preventive dental care begins with you. As mentioned earlier, when you establish healthy dental habits early on, it can minimize your risk of cavities, gum disease, and gingivitis. The following are the basics of good oral health:
Essentially, preventive dentistry is a form of dental care that helps patients maintain good oral health. It involves scheduling regular dental checkups and developing healthy habits (i.e. routine brushing and flossing). When you care for your teeth, starting from a young age these habits continue throughout the rest of your life.
Common Preventive Dentistry Services
Now, you may be wondering, what preventive dentistry services are offered by your dentist in West Edmonton. Preventive dentistry includes:
- Regular oral exams– these should be scheduled every six months or sooner.
- Teeth cleaning– teeth cleaning involves removing plaque buildup from the surfaces of your teeth, polishing them and flossing them.
- Routine X-Rays– routine X-rays allow your dentist to identify issues that are invisible to the naked eye. X-rays make it possible to spot issues early on before they worsen and treat them. Early intervention prevents the need for extensive and expensive treatment.
Preventive Dental Care in Edmonton
Preventive dental care begins with you. As mentioned earlier, when you establish healthy dental habits early on, it can minimize your risk of cavities, gum disease, and gingivitis. The following are the basics of good oral health:
- Brushing twice daily– you should be brushing your teeth each morning and each night using a soft-bristle toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste.
- Floss daily– you should be flossing every day. Flossing helps you remove food lodged between your teeth.
- Use mouthwash–rinsing with mouthwash can remove any food particles that are lingering after you have flossed.
- Eat a clean diet– avoid foods that can damage your teeth or harm your tooth enamel.
- Do not smoke or use tobacco products– doing so can cause dental health concerns, including oral cancer.
- Wear a mouth guard– if you participate in sports or grind your teeth, consult with your dentist in Edmonton.
Preventive Dental Care for Children
Once your child’s first tooth emerges, you can begin preventive dental care. Preventive dental care for children can identify issues early on before they pose a threat to your child’s overall wellbeing. Preventive dental care for children includes:- Promoting good dental habits for children.
- Biannual teeth cleaning and oral exams.
- Fluoride application.
- Dental sealants.
- Routine X-rays.
- Athletic mouth guards.
- Referrals to orthodontists or dental specialists if necessary.
Dental Fillings, Are They Part of Preventive Dentistry?
No, fillings are not considered preventive dentistry. Rather, they are categorized as “basic restorative services.” These types of services include dental extractions and root canal therapy. A filling in specific is required when you have tooth decay. The Benefits of Preventive Dentistry Near You Now, it is time to discuss the benefits of regular preventive oral exams.- They reduce your risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and other serious dental health issues.
- They promote healthy oral hygiene habits.
- They can identify dental problems early on.
- They allow your dentist to conduct a full exam of your mouth, jaw, and neck.
- They help to lower your risk of dental problems that may be related to chronic medical conditions which include diabetes and osteoporosis.