Preventive Dentistry: Learn What It Involves And Why You Should Try It

As the old adage goes, prevention is better than cure. The same is true for your dental health as well. As opposed to rushing to the dental clinic whenever you have a tooth problem, you should choose to seek a pre-emptive approach instead. Through preventive dentistry, you can avoid dental emergencies and costly dental treatments. This is because your dentist will be in a position to notice dental anomalies right at the onset before they develop into bigger problems. Read on to learn more about what preventive dentistry involves.

Regular check-ups

The only way a dentist can stay ahead of your potential dental problems is to see you more often. Preventive dentistry therefore requires that you make regular trips to the dentist — every six months. The concept behind this is that the short intervals will dissuade any major dental problems to sprout unnoticed. During these check-ups, your dentist will carry out normal checks. These include looking for: tooth decay, worn teeth, inflamed gums, loose teeth, infections, etc.

Regular teeth cleaning

In addition to the above, you also will receive regular teeth cleaning. This will happen at every dental check-up. A professional dental cleaning will ensure your dentist gets rid of any built-up plaque or tartar. Apart from keeping your teeth looking white, regular teeth cleaning will help prevent tooth decay. Removal of plaque and tartar will also help prevent other dental complications such as gingivitis and periodontal disease. The latter could cost you your teeth if not treated early enough.

Comprehensive dental checks

Apart from getting regular dental checks, preventive dentistry also involves undertaking comprehensive dental checks as well. A comprehensive dental checks involves checking broader areas of the mouth, including the jaws. During such checks, X-rays are taken to view the overall bone structure of the jaws and the alignment of the teeth. These X-rays help the dentist to better understand how your teeth are growing. This is especially important when it comes to wisdom teeth development or when diagnosing impacted teeth.

Tips and advice on how to improve oral health

Last but not least, preventive dentistry also involves your dentist giving your valuable tips on how to keep your teeth healthy, as opposed to just treating the consequences of the opposite. Your dentist will advise you on any prevailing aspect of oral health that they think you need to know after an examination. In general, this includes: how to brush your teeth correctly, how to remove plaque, how to avoid gum irritation, how to floss properly and much more.

If you have specific questions about preventive dentistry, talk to a dentist from a clinic like Complete Dental Care to learn more.

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