Preventive Dentistry

Preventive dentistry pertains to keeping oral hygiene strategies in progress for healthy teeth today and in the future. It encompasses daily oral hygiene practices and scheduled procedures so you can learn the importance of healthy teeth and, thus, a healthy mouth. Without preventive dentistry, you can struggle with dental diseases and mouth conditions.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 26% of US adults struggle with tooth decay. Moreover, over 46% of US adults aged 30 or older face serious gum diseases and similar issues, with nearly 9% facing chronic mouth conditions.

ADA recommends getting two dental checkups at a reputable dentistry firm or dental service provider's office every year. Regular yearly checkups can identify oral health issues before they get chronic and nip them in the bud. You can rely on the team of professionals at Canyon Dental for effective preventive dentistry.

What is Preventive Dentistry?

Preventive dentistry involves various practices to keep teeth healthy for the future. Healthy teeth could contribute to healthier gums. Hence, you could enjoy healthy oral conditions as you age. By getting proper dental cleanings and dental checkups regularly, you minimize the chances of experiencing the following issues:

  • Gum diseases
  • Cavities
  • Tooth decays
  • Enamel wear

Although the list of dental/oral health issues could go on and on, we like to summarize it as short as possible to save you time while providing the most needed information. Preventive dentistry could be a detailed dental checkup at a dentist in Clarkston, or just you brushing your teeth twice daily. The requirements vary from one individual to another based on several factors.

What are the Benefits of Preventive Dentistry?

The main benefit of opting for dental checkups and cleanings under preventive dental care is that you’ll be less likely to encounter the following oral health issues:

  • Periodontitis
  • Gingivitis
  • Cavities
  • Tooth decays
  • Gum diseases

You can significantly reduce the risk of other poor oral health-associated physical conditions and diseases by preventing those oral health issues. Those problems include:

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

By opting for preventive dentistry, you can set up your whole family and inform them about the benefits from an early age. You can put your children on healthy oral practices such as flossing on time and brushing twice every day. Moreover, caring for your teeth can prevent you from cutting down on your balanced diet. Hence, you can keep enjoying your favorite foods and drinks without facing any serious dental/oral health issues.

Although anyone can get preventive dentistry at a Clarkston dentist, pregnant women should be careful. Pregnancy results in considerable hormone changes that increase the chances of gum disease development. Therefore, according to WebMD, routine dental checkups before, during, and after pregnancy are vital. Another major benefit of preventive dentistry is that it can prevent diseases and oral conditions, significantly reducing the chances of related physical health issues. In turn, that increases the chances of healthy childbirth.

Who Can Get Preventive Dentistry?

As mentioned earlier, anyone can qualify for preventive dentistry. The most suitable patients include older adults, young children, teens, and pregnant women. They’re at a higher risk of developing oral health conditions/diseases.

Common Practices in Preventive Dentistry

Dentists in Clarkston and elsewhere adopt many in-office preventive oral care strategies. Plus, they also share home care activities for children and adults to focus their attention on healthy teeth. Here’re a few common practices in preventive dentistry:

• Regular Dental Checkups

Most dental conditions and oral health issues are hard to notice if you don't know, mainly because they're painless in the initial stages. However, regular dental checkups could ensure early detection and identification of oral health conditions/diseases in any family member or you.

As advised by ADA, you can schedule dental checkups every 6 or 12 months. If you're on the safe side and your Clarkston dentist recommends, you can schedule regular visits every 12 months. Needless to say, if you run a high risk of bumping into serious health issues, consider opting for dental checkups every 6 months.

• Scheduled Dental Cleanings/Screenings

Dental cleanings involve the removal of dental stains and plaque buildup. It’s necessary only if you’re uninformed on plaque removal practices or aren’t successful in doing it yourself. Dental cleanings also check for tooth decay.

• Patient Education

When patients realize the dangers of avoiding oral healthcare practices, they get more likely to respond to the dentists' advice. Educating the patient is part of preventive dentistry. By informing the patient, dentists and oral health specialists increase public awareness of critical dental issues and problems. Furthermore, dentists would instill reliable oral hygiene practices among dental patients.

• Smoking and Alcohol Prevention

According to the research on NCBI, dependence on alcohol and tobacco leads to poor oral health. Whether chewing or smoking tobacco, it can negatively impact your oral health and open doors to a wide range of medical issues, mainly cancer! Smoking leads to tooth loss, gum disease, respiratory problems, and oral cancer.

• Orthodontics

Preventive dentistry sometimes involves corrective treatments to fix improper bites. People, especially children, have bite issues called malocclusion. It prevents teeth from closing properly, and either the upper or lower side of the teeth closes improperly. Malocclusion can cause speech impediments and eating impairment. Crooked teeth also require corrective, preventive dentistry practices. This field is “orthodontics” in the dentistry world. It involves applying dental braces, aligners, and several prosthetics. The team at Canyon Dental in Clarkston, Washington is skilled in evaluating a series of orthodontic issues.

• Sealants

Sealants serve one primary purpose: to save the permanent teeth at the back of the mouth from experiencing tooth decay. The back teeth are permanent, and those suffering from tooth decay can be very painful and debilitating for a child. Sealants provide a thin composite coating over the chewing surface of the back teeth to prevent tooth decay.

• Mouth Guards

You might understand the importance of mouth guards by seeing aggressive contact sports such as football, boxing, wrestling, and so on. Mouth guards are protective shields for your teeth and gum. They protect the teeth from breaking following physical contact. While they're helpful for sports activities, they also help patients with bruxism, aka "teeth grinding". Bruxism can lead to TMJ disorder (temporomandibular joint disorder).

• X-Rays

In preventive dentistry, X-rays are part of routine dental checkups and enable dentists to take corrective measures for a patient's health. Sometimes, dental problems aren’t visible to the naked eye. So, doctors opt for x-rays to see what’s hiding behind the actual mouth appearance. X-rays can expose cavities and problems beneath the gum line.

How You Can Contribute to Your Preventive Dental Healthcare

It takes a lifetime to maintain healthy teeth and gums. Starting today, you can begin caring for your teeth more than before. Here are a few healthcare practices and oral hygiene routines you can follow to keep your teeth healthy and strong. Make sure you consult a reliable dentist in Clarkston if you have any problem coping with existing oral health issues. Check out the following steps to keep your teeth healthy:

• Brushing Twice a Day

You must brush your teeth twice a day. However, most people consider it an overrated statement which is wrong. You must choose the right fluoride toothpaste to strengthen your teeth. Brushing daily, twice (morning and night) can reduce the risks of tooth decay and gum diseases. Also, don't forget to replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months.

• Flossing Regularly

You must floss regularly as well. Flossing clears the tight spaces between the teeth and mouth. For your information, not many people know the correct way of flossing. Make sure you discuss it in your next dental visit.

Find the Best Preventive Dentistry in Clarkston

Want to add a bright shine to your smile? Visit a dentist in Clarkston today to have your oral health evaluated and your conditions treated. Dr. Ray Waller and Dr. Joe Schmidt at Canyon Dental in Clarkston, Washington are experienced and trained in providing preventive dentistry services.

Our dental health firm boasts a positive reputation among the locals and has gained popularity outside our service range. Call us to schedule an appointment and receive your personalized treatment plan today!

Reference Links:

  1. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/preventive-dentistry
  2. https://www.healthline.com/health/dental-and-oral-health/best-practices-for-healthy-teeth#Take-care-of-your-teeth
  3. https://www.healthline.com/health/preventative-dentistry
  4. https://www.cigna.com/individuals-families/understanding-insurance/what-is-preventive-dentistry#:~:text=Preventive%20dentistry%20is%20dental%20care,the%20course%20of%20your%20life
  5. https://www.yourdentistryguide.com/preventive-dentistry/