Preventive Dentistry

Maintaining good oral hygiene through preventive dentistry just makes sense. Visiting your dental care professional twice a year allows you to stay on top of small gum and tooth health issues before they become more extensive, saving money and time. Dental exams also will enable you to check in with your dentist and ask any questions about your oral health

Cavity Prevention

Professional teeth cleanings help prevent damage to the tooth caused by decay. This decay will lead to eventual pain and infection. The tooth's outer structure will become brittle and brittle. As the tooth breaks down, it will become sensitive and painful. Dental x-rays can identify cavities and tooth decay long before appearing on the tooth's surface.

A decaying tooth changes the normally healthy biome of the mouth by producing substantial amounts of harmful bacteria. This bacteria creates an unfavorable environment for the remaining teeth and gums in the mouth. 

Proper Oral Hygiene

Brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing your teeth every day goes a long way toward keeping your teeth and gums in great shape. But even the most diligent brushers can unintentionally neglect areas of the mouth. 

When you see your dentist regularly, this allows them to detect minute areas of the mouth that are not receiving enough care and offer coaching on your oral care technique. Early detection of these areas permits the opportunity for correction before any long-term damage occurs. 

Gum and Dental Disease Prevention

Gingivitis is a milder form of gum disease and doesn’t initially present with many symptoms. You may notice that your gums bleed a little more quickly as you floss, and you may also see some redness but discomfort at these earliest stages is rare. Although these initial indications are subtle, your dentist will notice them and provide instructions for proper care to reverse gingivitis.

Missing these early signs will lead to an advancement of gingivitis, known as periodontitis. The condition causes an increase in harmful bacteria that attack the underlying bone supporting the teeth. With this form of gum disease, the symptoms are more pronounced and include a chronic inflammatory response in the gums. 

The attack on the tooth-supporting bone under the gums causes tooth loosening and tooth loss. Openings in the gum tissue allow the harmful bacteria now present in the mouth to access the bloodstream, causing damage to the heart, brain, and other vital organs. 

Fluoride Treatments

Fluoride treatments are another advantage offered by preventive dentistry and are very effective tools in the fight against cavities and tooth decay. Fluoride treatments add beneficial nutrients to the teeth and help protect tooth enamel. 

Fluoride strengthens teeth and makes them more resistant to the destructive effects of plaque, harmful bacteria, and acids that demineralize teeth over time. 

Conclusion

Preventative dentistry is beneficial for your dental health and your overall health. Proper oral care lessens your chances of developing heart disease, respiratory disease, diabetes, and several forms of cancer. Seeing your dentist twice a year will brighten your smile, but it could also save your life.