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Maintaining good oral hygiene is the key to keeping teeth and gums healthy, but brushing and flossing alone aren’t enough to prevent all types of dental problems. People also need to visit their dentists for routine preventive care. Read on to find out about preventive dentistry, how it works, and why it’s so important.
What Is Preventive Dental Care?
preventive dentistry sandersville ga is the type of service provided at routine visits to the dentist. It involves a combination of exams, X-rays, cleanings, and advice about how to improve home oral hygiene. Preventive dental care should begin in childhood and continue throughout a person’s life.
Preventive Dental Care in Childhood
Children should visit paediatric dentists or family dentists for preventive care. These specialists are experts at working with kids, so they know just how to keep pediatric patients comfortable and identify all the problems that could come up throughout childhood and adolescence. The types of preventive care offered by pediatric dentists include:
- Promoting good at-home oral health habits
- Routine teeth cleanings
- Oral exams
- Sealant applications
- Fluoride application
- X-rays to track teeth and jaw development
- Mouthguard fitting
- Identifying health issues that could impact a child’s dental health
- Referrals to specialists as needed
Preventive Dental Care for Adults
In adulthood, dental patients play a larger role in maintaining their oral health. Adults should:
- Brush their teeth twice daily
- Floss every day and use mouthwash
- Avoid acidic foods
- Avoid tobacco products
- Use mouth guards for participating in sports and at night if they grind their teeth
- Attend routine preventive care visits at least twice a year
The Consequences of Avoiding Preventive Care
Failing to follow the basic steps described above can lead to all kinds of dental health problems. If adult or paediatric patients don’t brush their teeth, they’ll wind up with plaque buildup, which turns into tartar and hardens on their teeth. Over time, the tartar buildup causes tooth decay and gum disease, potentially leading to tooth loss and the need for expensive corrective care, possibly including surgery.
What Is Dental Surgery?
Most types of dental surgery are not considered preventive care. Instead, they are restorative procedures, meaning that they help to restore patients’ mouths to a healthier or more functional state. Dental surgeries can involve operating on the teeth, jaws, or other facial structures.
Types of Dental Surgery Procedures
Any surgical procedure that involves the reconstruction of part of a patient’s mouth can be considered dental surgery. Some are more common than others, though. Common types of dental surgery include:
- Tooth extractions
- Implant surgery
- Root canals
- Treatment for cleft palate
- Procedures to alleviate sleep apnea
- Facial reconstruction
Benefits of Preventive Care
Preventive dental care lowers patients’ risks of developing serious dental health problems, which can lead to the need for surgery. It also helps them establish good at-home oral hygiene routines and identifies dental problems early on while they are still easy and affordable to fix. Preventive dental care can also reduce oral health problems associated with chronic medical conditions like diabetes, osteoporosis, and certain cancers.
The Bottom Line
Don’t underestimate the importance of preventive dental care. It’s the best way to maintain healthy teeth and gums and avoid serious dental problems. In most cases, preventive care is covered by insurance, so don’t hesitate to reach out and schedule an appointment.
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