Preventative Dentistry and Why Dental Care Is So Important
Preventative dentistry focuses on caring for the teeth, gums, and mouth to prevent oral health problems. While most people are familiar with basic dental care techniques, such as regular brushing, flossing, and tongue brushing, preventative dentistry encompasses other aspects of dental care. Preventative dentistry, in combination with proper oral hygiene practices, can help children and adults ward off dental decay, gum disease, and other health risks that are linked to poor oral health.
Early Dental Detection is key with Preventative Dentistry Care
Sticky plaque is constantly forming on the teeth. If plaque is not removed within 24 to 72 hours, it begins to harden and calcify. Because of this, it’s extremely important to stick to your oral health routine day and night, and even in between meals to avoid build up from forming. Hardened plaque is known as tartar. When this happens, you’ll need to have it removed by a dental professional.
Tartar buildup can wreak havoc on your smile and your breath. Over time, tartar can destroy enamel, create tooth sensitivity, contribute to cavities, and cause severe bad breath. If not remedied, it can even lead to tooth loss. When tartar forms on the gum line, it can cause irritation and damage the gums, and in some cases, cause the gums to recede. In time, this can lead to progressive gum disease and even periodontitis.
Early detection of plaque and tartar buildup is critical to the health of your teeth, gums, and overall oral health. At regular checkups, your dentist and dental hygienist will remove plaque and tartar from the teeth and examine the mouth for signs of early decay or gingivitis.
Cost Savings with Dental Preventative Oral Patient Care
Quality dental care can be costly. However, it’s much more cost-efficient to invest in early detection with a consistent oral health care routine than it is to fix a dental issue with a more complicated dental procedure, such as dental implants or a full mouth reconstruction. Preventative dentistry can help keep these costs to a minimum by focusing on catching problems early and decreasing the need for additional treatment. By visiting your dentist for regular exams and professional cleanings, you can save hundreds or even thousands on cavity fillings, root canals, dental crowns, and similar corrective treatments.
Oral Cancer Screening
Each year, approximately 50,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with throat or oral cancer. Preventative dentistry involves looking for the early warning signs of oral cancer, such as mouth pain, painful swallowing, mouth sores, loose teeth, and red or white patches inside the mouth.
The most effective way to control oral cancer is through early diagnosis and prompt treatment. More than 90 percent of oral cancers are squamous cell carcinomas, which can be diagnosed from lesions located on mucosal surfaces.
Protecting Your Teeth
Preventative dentistry not only focuses on preventing oral disease, but also on protecting the teeth against damage. This also includes wearing custom-fit protective appliances for your teeth. Dental appliances, like occlusal guards, sports guards, and bite splints can help protect your smile when playing sports, or even during teeth grinding at night, also known as bruxism.
Treating an emergency in a quick and efficient manner also allows you to maintain a strong and healthy smile. When a dental emergency occurs, the last thing you’ll want to worry about is whether or not your dentist can squeeze you into their schedule. And due to the nature of some emergencies, getting seen by your dentist sooner gives us a better chance at being able to preserve a tooth or stop the pain from getting worse.
Better Relationship With Your Vero Beach Dentist
Your dentist shouldn’t just be responsible for your dental cleanings and tooth fillings, but their goal should be to help educate and mentor you on the best ways to care for your oral health. As your lifelong dental practice, Vero Elite Dentistry takes pride in making a positive impact on your oral health, as well as on your overall health, for years to come.
Early detection of dental problems, along with other preventative dentistry solutions, can help reduce the need for costly treatment and promote good oral hygiene to community members in Vero Beach. To learn more about the importance of preventative dentistry or to request an appointment as a new patient with Dr. Tamra Brown DMD, contact Vero Elite Dentistry today to get started!