Preventive Dentistry
What is Preventive Dentistry?
Preventive dentistry is dental care that helps maintain good oral health. It’s a combination of regular dental check-ups along with developing good habits like brushing and flossing. Taking care of your teeth starts early in childhood and extends throughout the course of your life.
Take simple steps topreventtooth decay.
Most babies will get their first tooth around age 6 months. Start these healthy habits now so, your child’s smile will stay healthy!
- Wipe your baby's gums with a clean cloth 2 times a day before they get any teeth
- Start cleaning your baby’s teeth 2 times a day as soon as they come in
- Teach your child to brush 2 times a day
- Protect your child’s teeth with fluoride
- Give your child healthy, low-sugar foods and drinks
- Take your child to the dentist for regular checkups
Why is Preventive Dentistry Important?
Prevention is always better than cure, right? That’s why preventative dentistry is the real secret to a happier, healthier set of teeth and gums.
By maintaining high standards of oral health, you can limit the likelihood of suffering the wide-array of painful (and often expensive) problems that are sure to arise otherwise.
Who needs the procedure more?
Twice-yearly appointments work well for most people. However, you may need more frequent dental cleanings if you have:
- Gum disease.
- Family members with a history of plaque build-up or cavities.
- A weakened immune system.
- Other illnesses or have been experiencing a lot of stress. (Some conditions can cause changes in your mouth.)
Ask your dentist how often you should have your teeth cleaned.
Outcome Of Invisalign Clear Aligners
- Lowers your risk for developing tooth decay, gum disease, and more serious dental problems.
- Helps promote good oral hygiene habits, such as brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing.
- Early identification of dental problems may help minimize treatment and cost.
- Enables your dentist to do a full exam of your mouth, jaw, neck, etc. to identify any related problems.
Invisalign can treat the following problems in some individuals, depending on how severe they are:
Pros and Cons of the procedure
Pros Preventive Dentistry
As a tool for preventing damage to teeth, it will come as no surprise that there is a range of benefits that make the healthy habits above very appealing to parents.
As a tool for preventing damage to teeth, it will come as no surprise that there is a range of benefits that make the healthy habits above very appealing to parents.
Reduces Long-Term Expense
Dental maintenance is an investment in your child’s smile over the long term. Without proper dental care, many issues can occur that are much more costly than regular checkups and high-quality toothpaste and dental floss.
Overall Health Improvements
Our oral health is closely related to our general physical health. Our mouths are gateways to our digestive and respiratory tracts.
Defense is the Best Offense
Just like in sports, Children’s Dental Center knows that defense is the best offense. Likewise, the best prevention plan starts early on in your child’s life and anticipates potential risks along the way.
What Are theBenefits Preventive Dentistry
Here are some benefits of preventive dentistry listed below:
You’ll Avoid Debilitating Ailments
As we just mentioned, preventative dentistry makes debilitating dental issues less likely. Indeed, the small investment of the time it takes to clean and floss your teeth could prevent the discomfort of cavities, abscesses, and other unwelcome oral problems. However, it’s also worth noting that it can save your life!
You’ll Identify Issues Early
Preventative dentistry makes dental problems much less likely, but there are never any guarantees. No matter how diligent you try to be, these issues can and will develop over time. Heck, even dentists suffer from the occasional cavity or a minor build-up of decay! The good news is that preventative measures help identify such concerns early on.
You’ll Learn About Oral Hygiene
Dentists aren’t just there to clean peoples’ teeth and treat any issues that arise. As experts in oral hygiene, they’re well-placed to educate their clients too. Visit the dentist, then, and they’ll explain how to take better care of your teeth and gums at home.
You’ll Save Money
Fillings, crowns, and root canals can cost thousands of dollars that you could have saved through preventative dentistry.
You’ll Feel More Confident
People with dental problems often experience trouble with their self-esteem as well. They feel self-conscious about their appearance and anxious about the perception of others. In the worst-cases, they might even find it difficult to leave the house and engage in an active social life.
You’ll Enjoy Fewer Dental Visits
It’s by far the best way to stay out of the dentist's chair. Having taken action to keep your teeth in top condition, there’ll be less need to see the dentist for help.
Types of Preventive Dentistry
Here are the different types of preventive dental care treatments:
Regular Dental Exams and Professional Cleanings
Dental checkups and comprehensive cleanings are an essential part of preventive dentistry. They are carried out at least twice annually, even when you have no existing health problems. The dentist examines your mouth, gums, teeth, and jaws and then cleans them thoroughly.
Fluoride Treatments
Fluoride is a mineral that strengthens the dental enamel, reducing decay, cavities, and enamel erosion. Our dentist in Boynton Beach administers fluoride treatments at the dental practice. This expert also prescribes fluoride supplements to individuals who need them.
Dental Sealants
These are plastic coatings applied on the chewing surfaces of molars to prevent cavities. This method of preventive dentistry is recommended for kids and adults. The application procedure is fast, easy, and pain-free.
Athletic Mouthguards
A mouthguard is a device worn over teeth to protect them from getting damaged due to trauma. They are designed to cushion the impact on teeth and jaws in case of an accident during a game. The devices can be obtained from a sporting goods store or a dentist’s office.
Diet
The dentist will help you identify and consume foods that positively impact your long-term oral health. These include calcium-rich foods, fruits, and vegetables. In addition, they exclude sugars and carbohydrates that lead to dental plaque.
Procedure
Here are some of the various types of preventive treatment procedures performed in a pediatric practice –
Dental sealants
Dental sealants are a translucent resin material that the dentist spreads on your child’s teeth. The sealant fills in deep grooves in your child’s teeth where bacteria would normally build up.
Teeth cleanings
Routine professional teeth cleanings are essential for your child’s dental health. During these visits, the dentist will clean the child’s teeth with special techniques and tools to achieve the cleanest teeth possible.
Fluoride
Fluoride can help strengthen and protect your child’s enamel. This solution will prevent cavities and keep your child’s enamel strong as they get older. Fluoride treatment is effective for both baby and adult teeth.
Aftercare tips after a routine dental visit
It bears repeating that dental cleaning does not happen with topical anesthesia. This fact points to the possibility of slight discomfort during the procedure. How about after the teeth cleaning? The following section describes what to expect and what to do after dental cleaning:
Wait 30 minutes before eating or drinking
This wait time gives the topical fluoride treatment a chance to bond with the tooth enamel. Drinking acidic or fizzy drinks will wash away the fluoride before it fuses with the minerals that form the surface of the teeth. If the patient is thirsty, they should only sip water.
Avoid hot foods and drinks for 4 hours after teeth cleaning
Hot food and drink can dissolve the fluoride before it has a chance to set permanently. The heat can also be uncomfortable for the patient experiencing tender gums and sensitive teeth after the cleaning.
Brush gently before bed
Use a toothbrush with soft bristles to clean the teeth, making sure to be gentle with the teeth and gums. The temptation to skip the nightly brush may be a thing that happens, but power through and brush your teeth unless the dentist tells you differently.
Be on the lookout for warning signs
Tooth sensitivity and tender gums are normal after teeth cleaning. People who go for long periods without flossing may also experience a little bleeding. However, all these inconveniences should clear up in a day or two. Any longer and the patient should visit their dentist to find out if there is a complication that needs treatment.
What are the risks or complicationsof routine dental cleanings?
Dental cleanings are safe and effective. While there aren’t any risks or complications, you may experience some temporary side effects, such as teeth sensitivity or sore gums.
To manage discomfort, take an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as acetaminophen, naproxen or ibuprofen. Tenderness should go away in a few days.
What to expect?
During your check-up, your dentist will usually:
- examine your teeth, gums and mouth and follow up on any issues that you may have
- check your head and neck for signs of oral cancers
- review your general health and update your medical history if things have changed since your last check-up
- provide individual advice on your oral hygiene habits and diet, and go through correct brushing and flossing techniques with you
- counsel you on smoking or alcohol use if relevant to you.
FAQs
What are common preventive dentistry services?
Preventive dentistry services may include:
Your dental plan may cover you fully for preventive care, depending on the type of dental plan you have.
What type of dentist offers preventive dental care?
There are a lot of different types of dentists and dental specialties. Those that provide preventive dentistry include:
General dentist: This is your go-to provider when you need routine preventive care like regular teeth cleanings, exams, and X-rays. They will also do fillings and provide other basic dental care. They can identify any potential problems before they become large, help you build healthier habits, and refer you to dental specialists if you need further care.
Pediatric dentist (children’s dentist): Pediatric dentists specialize in dental care for kids. Most kids will start out with dental care sometimes as soon as their first tooth appears. In many cases, a pediatric dentist will continue to see children through their teen years. A pediatric dentist provides both preventive dentistry services as well as more specialized care when needed, including extractions, fillings, and oral surgery in some cases.