All American Dental- Prevent And Transform Your Oral Health Through Preventive Dentistry

Preventive dental care is the key to keeping the teeth healthy throughout the course of life. But it goes beyond that. Good oral health could impact general health, as well. Preventive dentistry is dental care that helps maintain and regulate good oral health. It’s a blend of regular dental check-ups along with developing good habits like flossing and brushing. Taking care of the teeth begins early in childhood and extends throughout the course of life.

Benefits of Preventive Dentistry

• Lowers the risk for developing gum disease, tooth decay, and more serious dental problems.
• Helps support good oral hygiene habits, such as brushing the teeth at least twice a day and flossing.
• Early identification of dental issues might help minimize treatment and cost.
• Enables the dentist to do a full exam of the mouth, neck, jaw, etc., to identify any related issues.
• Help minimize dental problems related to some chronic medical conditions. Certain cancers, diabetes, osteoporosis, and eating disorders could affect dental and oral health. For people with chronic conditions, consistent preventive dental care is an important part of whole-person health.

Preventive oral care services for children and adults

At-home oral hygiene– The most important prevention method is brushing and flossing at least twice a day or after every meal to remove dental plaque. If not removed, plaque could build up and produce dental tartar, a hardened, sticky substance with acid-producing bacteria that lead to tooth decay and causes gum disease.

Fluoride use– Fluoride strengthens teeth and avoids tooth decay. Fluoride treatments are provided in dental offices, and dentists suggest using fluoride toothpaste and mouth rinses at home.

Diet– A balanced diet is quite important for dental health. Foods with sugars and carbohydrates attract the bacteria that produce dental plaque, while calcium-poor diets increase the chances of developing gum disease and jaw deterioration.

Regular dental visits– Since most dental conditions are painless initially if the person doesn’t regularly visit their dentist, they may not be aware of dental problems until they create major damage. For best results, one should schedule regular dental check-ups every six months, more often if they are at higher risk for oral diseases. The dentist should also conduct oral cancer screenings to check for signs of abnormal tissues. Especially for children, checking development and oral growth should be part of dental evaluations.

Dental cleanings and screenings– A dental cleaning is suggested every six months to remove stains and dental plaque, which one is unable to remove themselves and check for signs of tooth decay.

X-rays– X-rays enable dentists to check for signs of dental problems that are not visible to the naked eye, such as cavities between teeth and issues below the gum line.

Mouthguards– Mouthguards are particularly custom-made mouth guards prescribed by the dentist in Columbia, MO, to provide a better fit. They can be worn during sports activities to prevent broken teeth. Mouthguards also are used to treat teeth grinding, which could wear down teeth and contribute to the temporomandibular joint disorder.

Orthodontics– A bad bite might impair eating and speaking, and crooked teeth are difficult to keep clean. Correcting an improper bite with orthodontics that can involve the use of dental braces or clear teeth aligners, or invisible braces, such as Invisalign or Invisalign Teen, reduces the possibility of future dental problems.

Sealants– Sealants are thin composite coatings fixed on the chewing surfaces of back permanent teeth to protect the child from tooth decay.

Avoid smoking and drinking– Chewing tobacco, smoking, and alcohol consumption could negatively affect oral health. Apart from dry mouth, tooth discoloration, and plaque build-up, smoking can lead to gum disease, tooth loss, and even oral cancer.