In the world of dentistry, many treatments and solutions have risen over the years to offer more painless and seamless dental procedures. Out of all that has appeared, preventive dentistry is meant to prevent your teeth from deteriorating or avoid having some dental problems. When you think of this, it will most likely conjure an image of you brushing, flossing, and getting your teeth checked. You are absolutely on the right track, but there’s still more to it than you might expect.

In this article, we’ll share more about what preventive dentistry entails and why it’s very important.

Preventive dentistry in a nutshell

Preventive dentistry is the act of regularly taking good care of your teeth to keep them strong and healthy. This entails certain oral practices to avoid dental issues, such as tooth cavities, tooth decay, gum diseases, bad breath, and other dental problems. Apart from regular brushing and flossing of your teeth, visiting your dentist is also part of the overall equation.

Dental services under preventive dentistry 

There are various forms of preventive dentistry, where the most common ones are oral checkup and dental cleaning. Take note of the following preventative dental services that you can seek for:

  • Regular oral exam: Typically required to be performed every six months, your dentist will have a thorough examination of your teeth and mouth in general.
  • Teeth cleaning: This procedure is performed at a dental office to get rid of plaque and tartar from the teeth using specialized tools and teeth-cleaning solutions.
  • Routine x-ray: This involves imaging services meant to check the structure of your teeth, mouth, and jaw.

The importance of preventive dentistry 

When you think of preventive dentistry, the ultimate goal is to have strong and healthy teeth. Along with this is to be free from developing cavities, gingivitis, periodontitis or any other dental problems. However, keep in mind that preventive dentistry is meant to reduce secondary problems caused by poor oral hygiene. Below are some health-related issues associated with poor oral health:

  • Osteoporosis
  • Diabetes
  • Heart disease
  • Cancer
  • Respiratory disease

With preventive dentistry, you’ll be able to combat the risks of these health diseases mentioned above.

Top tips for your oral hygiene

If you’re looking to take your preventive dentistry seriously, you must be mindful to perform the following practices as part of your overall oral hygiene:

  • Brush your teeth, including your tongue, twice daily using a soft-bristled toothbrush with fluoride toothpaste. If it helps, you can also do so after every meal!
  • Floss your teeth every day to clean the tight spaces between your teeth. Flossing is also best done after every meal.
  • Visit your dentist every six months. Apart from the regular dental checkup, get a dental cleaning and routine x-ray as well. If your dentist finds some oral issues, be sure to address them immediately.
  • Be sure to monitor your food and drink consumption. Avoid sweets and starchy foods if you must, and beverages such as coffee, tea, wine, and alcohol.

Conclusion

At this point, you now know what preventive dentistry is and why it’s important for your oral health. As outlined above, be sure to follow the valuable tips mentioned above for your oral hygiene and get preventive dental services regularly. In the end, prevention is always better than cure, which applies to your overall oral health!

Do you want to have a complete set of strong and healthy teeth? Take advantage of our preventive dentistry services! We provide affordable yet patient-focused dental care, such as emergency dental, general, pediatric, and cosmetic dentistry in Edmonton. If you are looking for an effective yet affordable dentist, get in touch with us and book an appointment today!

Posted in Dental News & Advice