What is Preventive Dentistry and How Can It Benefit You?
Most dental problems develop without any obvious symptoms, and by the time they show any symptom, they are in the advanced stage. The good news is with preventive care in Rocklin, you can avoid these dental problems and maintain your oral health.
What is Prevent Dentistry?
This is the practice of caring for your teeth and gums to keep them healthy and free from infection. The preventive dental services can help prevent cavities, gum disease, wearing down of the enamel, and teeth removal.
There are many forms of preventive dental care that you can engage in and they include:
1. Brushing and Flossing
Daily brushing and flossing are the most basic dental preventive dental practices. It is recommended that you clean your teeth with fluoride toothpaste that has the American Dental Association seal. When brushing, it is important to clean the tongue and palate as they tend to trap bacteria and can cause bad breath.
Flossing your teeth daily is also recommended because it helps to remove the food particles stuck in between the teeth.
2. Visit the Dentist Regularly
The American Dental Association recommends you visit a dentist’s office near you for regular dental assessments every six months.
Routine dental association allows the dentist to examine and check your gums for any problems. If you are at risk of developing dental problems, the dentist will advise on the best way to prevent them. During your routine dental checkups, you will receive deep dental cleaning to remove any plaque buildup from the gum line that may potentially cause gum disease.
3. Get Fluoride Treatment
Fluoride treatment is ideal for everyone but is more recommended for people who are at risk of developing cavities. Fluoride is a mineral that strengthens the enamel and reverses the demineralization process. This enables the enamel to reabsorb the calcium and phosphate minerals that are lost during demineralization. Fluoride also helps to reverse mild dental cavities.
Fluoride treatment is done by applying varnish, gel, or foam on the teeth and leaving it for about 30 minutes. This will allow the enamel to absorb the fluoride. The treatment is recommended every three, six, or twelve months depending on your risk of cavities.
4. Try Dental Sealants
Dental sealants are coatings applied to the teeth to protect and shield them from cavities. These coatings are mostly made of plastic, but you can also get them in glass ionomer. The dentist will apply the sealants on the back teeth as they are more prone to trapping food particles.
Although dental sealants are recommended for children, adults with healthy teeth can also get them.
5. Eat a balanced diet
Eating teeth-friendly foods can also protect your teeth by providing them with the important nutrients they need. Limiting consumption of sugar can also help prevent cavities. The bacteria in the mouth feed on sugar and produce an acid solution that attacks the enamel.
Who Can Benefit from Preventive Dentistry?
Everyone can benefit from preventive dental care, especially children. Children have two sets of teeth that come out during their childhood; primary and permanent. Both these play a vital role in their oral health. The primary teeth hold the space and guide the permanent teeth when coming out.
What Are the Benefits of Getting Preventive Dentistry?
Oral health is also connected to your overall health. Maintaining good hygiene can reduce your risk of getting cavities, periodontal disease. In turn, this will lower the risk of secondary problems like diabetes, osteoporosis, heart disease, and respiratory problems.
Low birth weight and premature births have also been linked to poor oral health. That is why you are advised to visit the dentist when you are pregnant. Get regular dental checkups, cleanings, and adopt good preventive oral health.
Preventive oral care saves you money and time too. It eliminates your need for treatments like dental fillings, implants, and root canals, which can be very costly.
Schedule an Appointment
Visit Little Fish Dental for more information on our preventive dental services and how they can benefit you.