Oral Health and the Role of Preventive Dentistry
Many people underestimate the importance of oral health, and that can be a huge mistake. Dental health can impact many other areas of the body, and poorly-maintained teeth and gums may leave you vulnerable to infections that can lead to more serious bodily harm. Fortunately, however, you can reduce that risk by making your teeth and gums a priority in your overall health regimen. Part of that regimen should include regular visits to the dentist to ensure that you have the preventive dentistry you need to maintain healthy teeth and gums for life.
What is Preventive Dentistry?
Preventive dentistry includes all the examinations and procedures used to identify dental risks and prevent problems before they occur. Typically, this is taken care of at dental appointments scheduled every six months, though patient needs may sometimes require modifications to that regularly-scheduled maintenance. During those appointments, dentist will:
- Examine your teeth and gums. This examination can include visual inspections to look for signs of decay, joint dysfunction, gum disease, and oral cancer. This is a critically important element of oral health care, which is why patients should always make every effort to maintain this screening schedule.
- Clean your teeth. Oral hygienists can remove plaque and bacteria that brushing and flossing often misses. There are many areas within the mouth that are difficult for patients to reach on their own, and even a little residual bacteria or plaque can cause larger issues down the road.
- Consultation and treatment planning. Dentists will always consult with you about their findings, offering any treatment recommendations that may be needed to correct problems or prevent issues from becoming more serious. They will also provide counsel and advise that can help you to improve your at-home dental health regimen.
Why is Preventive Dentistry Important?
Many serious dental issues can be almost impossible for patients to detect until it’s too late. For example, gum disease is rarely detected by patients even when several symptoms and signs are present. The same is true for oral cancer, and many tooth problems that can turn into more serious concerns. With regular dental appointments, however, patients can gain access to early detection of potential problems, and the preventive dentistry techniques needed to address those issues promptly.
It’s also important to note that patients can save money by preventing oral health problems before they get serious. In addition, early problem detection is critical for maximizing your chances of avoiding potential tooth loss. If you want to keep your teeth for life – and who doesn’t, after all – then you need to take these proactive steps to maintain them.
Your Next Step Is Critical
It’s often said that knowledge is power. While that may be true, knowledge without action is all but useless. That’s why it is so important for every patient to rely on preventive dentistry to protect and maintain his or her teeth and gums. So, if it’s been awhile since you have been to the dentist’s office for an examination or cleaning, now’s the time to schedule and keep that vital dental appointment.