While it could feel like a shortcut, skipping a dental appointment is commonly going to end up in you paying more, and feeling worse, later on down the line. Preventive dentistry goes against that grain by stopping problems before they even start.
Follow https://www.healthline.com/health/preventative-dentistry to know more about preventive dentistry.
Just some good habits at home to add to regular appointments can go a long way in keeping your smile healthy, scheduling emergency visits down to a minimum, and saving you money.
What Is Preventive Dentistry?
Preventive dentistry combines the daily care that you do at home and care that is done routinely by your dental team to help you prevent diseases and costly repairs. You brush and floss and keep an eye on your diet, and your dentist looks in your mouth, cleans away the tartar buildup, and provides you with useful tools to promote better habits. The outcome is a reduced risk of cavities, gum disease, or a jaw problem; your dentist supports you in that.
Preventive dentistry is somewhat of a normal practice even in family dentistry, as it looks after everyone in the family from the first baby tooth through adult maintenance. You can think of it as tune-ups for your mouth, relatively frequented, predictable, efficient appointments to keep you on the road to optimal oral health.
Why Regular Checkups Matter
Even though your teeth may feel fine, you may have small problems working their way in that you can’t see. Plaque that is deposited time and again will ultimately harden into tartar, tiny cavities will grow, and early inflammation of the gums can commence long before it’s painful. However, if you have routine visits every six months (or as your dentist suggests) it makes identifying small issues early and planning the simple and affordable corrections during a comprehensive exam easier.
- Problems discovered when they are small, early on, generally cost less to treat than those found later, and need less chair time.
- The cleaning professionals provide a clean that will always get places that your brush misses to reduce your chances for cavities, as well as gum disease.
- Your dentist has documented changes over time with photographs and x-rays, so patterns are identified so they can be addressed before they become emergencies.
- Frequently returning for visits creates a sense of comfort and trust, especially for children and busy adults, which promotes ongoing routine care.
Early Detection Saves Money
A small cavity may just require a filling today if you can detect it early; or could end up later as a root canal, crown, or extraction if left too long. This is true for gum health as well – if compounded today by gingival bleeding, an unsuspecting night may cause bone loss tomorrow. You might be asking yourself, “How long does gum disease last?” Unfortunately, it can linger/exist for years or longer without regular preventative care; which is why it is so vital to catch it early.
Preventative care can not only keep your fees lower, but time off work, prescriptions, and stress- all lower. When dental issues are detected early, treatment can fit your life, and your wallet- rather than emergency treatment fits your life. That is the real power of all restorative care when delivered at the right time.
Common Preventive Treatments Explained
You will notice that you receive many simple services on the developed plan of care. Each service has a job, and together these services protect your smile multidimensionally. Prior to any services your clinician will consult with you on specific recommended procedures- knowing what to do and why you should select them will allow you to choose care and budget confidently.
- Professional hygiene for cleaning occurs and this is a best practice to remove tartar and biofilm that can result in cavities and/or gum inflammation.
- A professional fluoride varnish is applied to strengthen the enamel that can be impacted- particularly in early weakness areas where a cavity hasn’t resulted. Click here for further reading.
- Dental sealants help shield the deep grooves of your last molars where food and bacteria enjoy hiding.
- A custom occlusal guard protects the teeth at night from biting while sleeping, therefore protecting the tooth from cracking and preventing jaw soreness.
- Personalized home-care coaching (tools, angles, routines) provided helps you to continue you to your best health (for a longer time) in between visits.
Long-Term Benefits of Prevention
If you keep up with your routine care (which should work for your schedule), there will be less surprises and less late-night care visits for tooth pain/discomfort. Your breath is fresher, your gums look healthier, and your smile is less broken. Over time, a simple smile costs less or should at least be more predictable and have less serious procedures.
It also prepares you to get your best possible outcomes if you choose cosmetic dentistry whitening, bonding, or smile refresh works best on a proper foundation. Easily stated, with regular visits, clear guidance, and a plan that fits your schedule, you can continue to protect your mouth, simplify your life, and feel confident each time you smile.
