How do you view dental care? Is the dentist someone you see when you have a dental problem? Or do you go to the dentist to prevent dental problems?
Your answer to this question will have a huge impact on your lifelong oral health. If you only go to the dentist when you have a problem, you can expect a lifetime of dental problems and procedures. But it's not too late to change the narrative. You can embrace preventive dental care and experience a lifetime of oral health.
Here are some common dental problems and how they can be prevented with regular visits to your dentist.
Problem: Tooth Decay (Cavities)
What it is: Plaque bacteria produce acids that dissolve tooth enamel, forming pits or holes in your teeth.
Treatment: A small cavity can be treated with a filling. A large or deep cavity may require a root canal and crown.
Prevention: Tooth decay can be prevented by brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing once a day, and going to the dentist twice a year for professional cleanings. Be sure to use fluoride toothpaste because it helps to harden tooth enamel to protect your teeth from decay. It can also help to minimize the amount of sugar you consume in foods and drinks, as well as alcohol.
Problem: Periodontal (Gum) Disease
What it is: Gum disease is a bacterial infection of the gum tissue caused by plaque and calculus (hardened plaque) buildup on the teeth.
Treatment: Gum disease can be treated with a deep cleaning of the teeth to remove plaque and calculus from under the gums. Once gum disease has reached the advanced stages, it can be managed but not cured. Surgical procedures can repair damage caused by gum disease.
Prevention: The best option is to prevent gum disease in the first place. By brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing once a day, and going to the dentist twice a year for professional cleanings you can keep plaque and calculus from building up and causing gum disease. You can reduce your risk of developing gum disease by limiting sugar, as it feeds bacteria.
Problem: Damaged Teeth
What it is: Teeth can be worn down, chipped, fractured, or cracked. This can occur due to a variety of causes from injury to teeth grinding.
Treatment: Damaged teeth can be repaired using composite bonding or dental crowns. Composite material can patch and reshape teeth. A dental crown fits completely over an existing tooth, providing a new chewing surface.
Prevention: You can prevent damage to your teeth by wearing a mouthguard if you play sports and a night guard if you grind your teeth. Another option is orthodontic treatment to properly align your teeth and bite to reduce wear and risk of dental injury.
Problem: Missing or Extracted Teeth
What it is: Teeth may be missing for a variety of reasons from injury to gum disease. Extraction of teeth may be necessary if damage is too extensive to repair the natural tooth.
Treatment: Missing teeth can be replaced with dental bridges, dentures, or dental implants.
Prevention: By brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing once a day, and going to the dentist twice a year, you can preserve your natural teeth in most cases and avoid costly dental prosthetics.
The Common Thread: Prevention
If you’ve ever heard the phrase “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”, it could not be more true than in the field of dentistry. You only get one set of permanent teeth in your lifetime, and how you take care of them will determine how long they last. Good oral hygiene habits at home combined with regular dental care can prevent the majority of dental problems and help you keep your natural teeth for life.
Frequently Asked Questions About Preventive Dentistry
How often should I go to the dentist?
The ideal schedule for dental cleanings for most patients is every 6 months or twice a year. Patients with active or advanced gum disease may need more frequent cleanings.
Does insurance cover preventive dentistry?
Most dental insurance plans cover preventive dentistry at 100%, which includes cleanings and oral exams every 6 months or twice a year.
Contact Zuri Dental
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