What is Preventive Dental Care?

Preventive dental care is focused on keeping the teeth and gums healthy. You will need to see a dentist every six months if your teeth are healthy. If you have dental problems, then you will likely need to see the dentist more often.

Cleanings and examinations are the focus of a preventive dental care visit. A thorough cleaning will remove the plaque and bacteria that you may have not been able to remove with brushing and flossing. An examination will check for signs of gum disease and cavities. You may not know if you have gum disease or cavities unless you get checked by a dentist.

Who Benefits From Preventive Dentistry?

Everyone can benefit from preventive dentistry. Children need preventive dental care in order to ensure that their teeth grow in healthy. Your dentist may recommend things like fluoride treatments and dental sealants in order to prevent tooth decay. Adults benefit from preventive dentistry because it ensures that they will be able to keep their natural teeth longer.

Benefits of Preventive Dentistry

The main purpose of preventive dentistry is to prevent problems from occurring later on down the road.

If you get preventive care, then you will be able to prevent the following problems.

• Cavities and tooth decay
• Gingivitis and gum disease
• Periodontitis
• Teeth sensitivity and enamel loss

It is also important to note that good oral health can benefit your overall health. If you get preventive care, then you will be less likely to develop heart disease or diabetes. Pregnant women will be less likely to give birth to a low-birth weight baby or have complications during their pregnancy. Furthermore, poor dental health can increase the risk of certain forms of cancer.

You will also be able to save money if you get preventive care. If you ignore a problem, then it will continue to get worse. You may end up needing extensive dental care if you neglect an oral problem. This can cost you thousands of dollars down the road. It is important to note that the cost of dental exams and cleanings may be completely covered by your dental plan.

What You can do at Home to Care for Your Teeth

Practice Basic Oral Hygiene

You will need to brush and floss regularly. You will need to replace your toothbrush as soon as the bristles starts to fray. Most people will need to replace their toothbrush every three or four months. If you are sick, then you will need to replace your toothbrush as soon as you are well. This will prevent you from getting sick again.

Additionally, you will need to eat well. Make sure that you get plenty of fruits and vegetables so that you can get the nutrients that are necessary for keeping your teeth healthy. You do not want to drink sugary beverages because this can lead to tooth decay. Water should be the main drink that you consume.