Significance of Preventive Dental Care
Preventive dentistry entails practices that aim to reduce the risks of developing dental issues. Therefore, you don’t have to incur extra costs to treat some dental problems. With regular dental check-ups, cleanings, home-based oral care and other treatments, you can achieve healthy teeth.
Preventive Dentistry Practices and Their Significance
Some of the practices that help to prevent dental problems include:
Proper Oral Hygiene
Taking care of your teeth at home is the basis of reducing the risk of developing dental problems. Therefore, you should consider having an excellent oral hygiene routine. Brushing twice daily, especially one time before going to sleep has significant benefits since it prevents the accumulation of food particle and debris that decay to form plaque and tartar.
Flossing your teeth eliminates plaque and tartar deposits between the teeth and below the gumline where your toothbrush does not reach. By removing plaque and tartar, you protect your teeth against decay and gums against infections.
Routine Dental Exams and Cleanings
Your home-based routine oral hygiene practices might not be enough to make your teeth clean and prevent dental problems. Some plaque and tartar and deposits are hard to remove by just brushing and flossing your teeth. Therefore, you should consider dental exams and cleanings.
During the dental exam, your dentist will check your teeth for developing dental issues. If you have a developing dental problem, the dentist will recommend treatments immediately. In case you are at risk of developing a dental problem, your dentist will advise you on the prevention measures you can take.
Cleanings, on the other hand, aim to remove plaque and tartar deposits on the teeth and below the gum line. By having plaque and tartar removed, you will reduce the risk of tooth decay and gum disease.
Dental X-Rays
For further examination of your teeth, gums and jawbone, your dentist might recommend digital x-rays. The dentist uses the digital x-rays to determine the extent of tooth decay, presence of an infection in the root canal and condition of the jaw bone. With detailed imaging test results, the dentist can develop a treatment plan that is suitable for your dental needs.
Fluoride Treatments
Fluoride is a naturally-occurring mineral that protects your teeth against decay and cavities by hardening your teeth surfaces. Although toothpaste contains fluoride, brushing might remove some deposits on the teeth surfaces. To restore the fluoride that is lost, your dentist might recommend fluoride treatments.
During the treatment, the dentist will apply a gel on your teeth and leave it for a few minutes. When the fluoride gel is dried, your teeth might appear yellow but return to their natural colour after brushing. However, you should bear in mind that excessive fluoride can be toxic.
Dental Sealants
If you start developing tooth cavities, you should consider visiting a dentist near you to prevent the progression. At the dental clinic, the dentist might recommend dental sealants. Dental sealants fill the small cavities and prevent tooth decay. The dentist applies the sealants in liquid form and hardens on the tooth surface.
Mouthguards
People suffering from bruxism are prone to developing infections due to wear and tear of the enamel. If you play contact sports, you might get dental injuries due to impact and lose your teeth. To prevent such dental issues, the dentist might recommend protective mouthguards.
Before giving you a protective mouthguard, the dentist will take impressions of your jaw and teeth to create your mouthguard. Next, the dentist will fit the mouthguard and make necessary adjustments. Your dentist might also guide on how to take care of the mouthguard.
Benefits of Preventive Dentistry
Preventive oral care is beneficial to you in the following ways:
Time-Saving
Regular dental exams, cleanings and daily oral hygiene routine are better than spending hours on getting treatments. Therefore, you should consider preventive oral care techniques.
Pain Less
Unlike some dental treatments that require surgery, dental exams, cleanings and other preventive dental services are non-invasive and painless. Therefore, you don’t have to dread going for treatments due to dental anxiety.
Preventive Dental Treatment in ON
Are you looking for preventive oral care services in Ajax, ON? At KC Dental, we offer various oral care services that aim to reduce the risk of developing dental problems.