The increased consumption of refined diets has led to the rise of dental issues. Dental problems can affect your overall body health and your self-esteem. Taking care of your oral health is important to improving your well being. Why do I need preventative dentistry? Preventative dentistry will help you identify and solve any dental issues you might have before they worsen.
Read on to understand "what is preventative dentistry" — plus what it entails and why you need it.
Preventative dentistry, as the word suggests, generally refers to all the activities preventing dental issues from occurring. It entails flossing and brushing your teeth at least two times a day and eating a healthy diet. Additionally, it is recommended that you visit your dentist every six months for professional dental checkups and cleaning.
Research shows that preventative dentistry led to a 29.6% decline in costs associated with periodontal treatment. In addition, it led to a 67% decline in admission rate and a 54% decline in ER rate for individuals with gum disease. Also, with proper preventive dentistry, the study indicated a 12.5% decline in tooth extractions and a 5.4% decline in root canals.
To understand the concept behind the question "what is preventative dentistry," you also need to know what it involves. Preventative dentistry includes at-home oral care and in-clinic dental procedures. Some of the common examples of preventive dentistry are discussed below.
Brush and floss your teeth regularly
Brushing and flossing your teeth at least two times a day helps to improve your oral health. If possible, brush your teeth after every meal to get rid of food particles stuck between your teeth. Leaving these particles on your teeth leads to dental plaque, which significantly contributes to tooth cavities. Failing to brush your teeth often may also lead to teeth staining.
When it comes to brushing your teeth, you need to use a toothbrush with soft bristles to avoid irritating your gums. Also, replace your toothbrush regularly.
Besides using a proper toothbrush, you also need to use the correct toothpaste. According to dentists, you need to use a toothpaste containing fluoride, strengthens your teeth and helps to prevent tooth cavities.
Eat a balanced diet
A healthy and balanced diet promotes healthy gums and teeth. Examples of foods you can eat to improve your oral health include fresh fruits and vegetables. These foods contain a high nutritional value, and they can also help you clean your teeth. Also, you can consider taking calcium-rich foods like fat-free milk, canned salmon, and cheese. Calcium helps your teeth become stronger.
Drink more water
Drinking a lot of water helps wash away any food particles that remain on your teeth's surface to prevent plaque formation. Additionally, water aids in the production of more saliva. Saliva keeps your mouth moist and destroys bacteria that can lead to bad breath, gum diseases, or tooth decay.
Fluoride varnish
Fluoride varnish is a professional dental treatment method that involves applying a substance with a high fluoride concentration on a person's teeth. These solutions are usually in gel, liquid, foam, or varnish form. Fluoride varnish helps to reverse tooth cavities when they begin to form.
Oral cancer screening
Nowadays, oral cancer screening is recommended during dental appointments. Cancer screening helps to diagnose cancer during the early stages. As a result, your doctor will help manage the issue before it exacerbates. Discovering mouth cancer during its later stages reduces the chances of treating this disease.
Professional dental cleaning
It is essential to have your teeth professionally cleaned at least twice a year. Professional dental cleaning helps eliminate plaque and tartar from areas where your toothbrush's bristles cannot reach, especially the region along your gum line.
Preventative dentistry offers several advantages, as discussed below.
Sometimes you may develop oral health issues without your knowledge. Examples of such problems include gum diseases, cavities, periodontitis, or oral cancer.
Even if you don't have the obvious signs, your dentist can detect these issues during their early stages. Your dentist will then give you proper medication to prevent further complications.
Treating dental issues such as dental cavities and gum diseases can be expensive — with treatment ranging up to $8,000-$10,000 for severe cases.
Why do I need preventative dentistry? You need to visit your dentist regularly to prevent these issues and avoid spending a lot of money on treatment. Research shows that every dollar that you spend on preventative dentistry enables you to save approximately up to $50 on emergency and restorative dental care. Preventing dental problems is cost-effective in the long run. Treating dental issues during the early stages is cheaper than treating them when they've advanced.
Dental issues such as teeth staining and bad breath can affect your self-esteem. If you are struggling with such issues, you need to visit your dentist regularly for professional dental cleaning. Your dentist may use a highly concentrated hydrogen peroxide solution to whiten your teeth.
Tooth cavities normally occur when plaque (a sticky film that forms on your teeth when food and saliva combine) reacts with your teeth's enamel. These cavities also occur when you eat too many sugary foods. When these foods stick to your teeth, mouth bacteria will feed on them, forming acids that lead to cavity formation.
With preventive dentistry, your dentist will advise you on how to take care of your teeth and carry out screening and other preventative strategies for dental caries. If your teeth have started showing signs of decay, your dentist will identify them and initiate treatments such as dental sealant installation or fluoride treatment. These treatments help to prevent further tooth decay.
A mouthguard is simply a device that covers your teeth and gums to reduce teeth, lips, and gums injury when playing sports or high-contact activities. If you are a sports enthusiast or professional, you need to visit your dentist for mouthguard customization and adjustment. Mouth guards are also used to prevent the effects of night grinding. Bruxism or teeth grinding is a condition that mostly occurs while sleeping whereby you excessively grind your teeth or clench your jaws.
Protecting your teeth, gum, and lip from injuries is cheaper than treating the injuries.
Preventing dental issues from occurring is always better than treating them, plus you can improve your oral health and your general wellbeing. It can also help you save on the cost of treating dental issues during advanced stages. Additionally, preventive dentistry enhances your self-esteem, improving your social interaction.
For quality preventive dentistry services, visit your dentist for more advanced treatment options. Also, you need to supplement professional treatments with at-home good dental practices for better oral health.
Are you looking for a clear path to overall general health and wellness? Better care of your oral hygiene can be a powerful determinant of a healthier and happier life. Pearly is the world's first oral health management app. Download to get started today.
