Prevention is better than cure – and, that’s an adage you’ve heard time and again. This rule couldn’t hold more value than when it comes to maintaining good oral health. Taking care of your teeth with regular cleaning, professional examination, and proper hygiene can make a world of difference. You’ll find that not just dental health, but your overall well-being depends a lot on preventive dentistry services. And, the expert advice you receive from the right doctor. Dr. Jennifer Silver, the expert dentist in Calgary can make that happen. Visit the doctor regularly and understand everything you need to know about how to take care of you and your family.
Why Preventive Dentistry is Important
Timely trips to a good family dental clinic can affect how you smile, eat, speak, and display emotions with the right facial expressions. Without proper care, you could end up having tooth decay, a problem that 25% of Americans deal with on a regular basis. In addition to losing work and school days, your family risks pain and avoidable visits to the emergency room. It may surprise you to know that in the year 2013 alone, 2 million patients made trips to the hospital with tooth pain. That’s a condition which could have been prevented simply by maintaining dental hygiene. How long you live and a better quality of life free of pain and discomfort all comes from taking care of your teeth and mouth.
Preventing Dental Problems at Home
The first step in proper oral hygiene is regular brushing and flossing with the right implements and products twice a day. With the recommendation of your dentist, choose the right fluoridated toothpaste that fights bacteria. You may also want to change the toothbrush every couple of months when the bristles start to fray. Brushing your tongue is helpful in removing germs from the oral cavity and having your breath smelling fresh. When teaching children how to brush, make sure to talk about the importance of cleaning the areas between the teeth and reaching all the corners of the mouth properly. As for flossing lessons, have your pediatric dentist give your kids a demonstration on the ideal methods of using this tool.
Procedures Included in Preventive Dentistry
As part of your oral care, your dentist will include several procedures timed at regular intervals. Here are some of the elements of the programs that your doctor may design for you.
- Examination and cleaning: From time to time, your doctor will schedule appointments to check the condition of your teeth. And, for signs of tooth decay. You’ll also need cleaning sessions possibly set up once in 6 months. The dentist will use special implements to remove plaque and hardened calculus or tartar from your teeth.
- Addition of Sealants: Typically, human molars have tiny grooves and points to allow them to chew food properly. However, these crevasses can become breeding grounds for bacteria that could eventually cause tooth decay. To prevent the possibility of cavities, dentists fill the grooves with plastic coatings or sealants.
- Fortification: Fluoride is a mineral that can assimilate into the teeth and help strengthen them so they don’t form caries. You should be able to get this mineral from the toothpaste you use and drinking water. If you aren’t getting the necessary fluoride from these sources, the dentist may opt to apply the mineral directly on the teeth. In this way, preventive dentistry helps teeth become stronger so they can resist decay.
- X-Rays and CAT scans: Doctors can detect the early signs of tooth decay by examining your teeth. However, they might choose to use X-rays and CAT scans to check for gum disease and cavities that may not be visible to the naked eye. Other issues like bone density, bone volume, or the beginning stages of tumors also appear on the scans.
- Laser Light Diagnosis: Depending on the condition of your teeth, the dentist may choose to use laser light. This tool helps identify the existence of bacteria that can eventually cause caries and decay.
Related Health Issues that Your Dentist Can Help Prevent
In recent times, scientific research has clearly shown that dental problems like bleeding gums, inflamed and sore gums, and cavities can lead to other health issues. Even if bad dental health does not directly make you ill, you might find that various other ailments are worsened. Preventive dentistry helps you keep your teeth and gums healthy. And, avoid the illnesses that may accompany bad teeth. Here are some of the main problems you should be aware of:
- Diabetes: Like your dentist will warn you, an excess of sugars in your blood adds to the risk of acids attacking your teeth and causing cavities. Diabetes often leads to dry mouth syndrome. And, without saliva flushing your mouth to remove pathogens, you have a higher probability of cavities.
- Heart Disease: When you have inflamed gums and bacterial infections in the oral cavity, chances are that the infections can travel to your heart and cause diseases.
- Cancer: Having poor oral health makes you susceptible to a kind of virus that causes mouth and throat cancer. Studies have shown that patients with dental problems have 56% higher chances of getting HPV of the mouth.
To maintain overall health and wellness, it is essential that you sign up for preventive dentistry. Choose a great dentist like Dr. Jennifer Silver and her team. Go in for regular checkups and make sure to follow the advice she offers you. Do keep in mind that good oral health can make a difference in your longevity and quality of life.
Would you like more information about the complete scope of dental services you can receive at the Southcentre Dental? How about calling us at (403) 278-1415. You can also contact us by entering your personal information on the page on our website. Go ahead and add your query. And, our expert consultants will get in touch with you providing the responses you need.
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