Dental preventative care is crucial for healthy teeth. But what is it, and why is it so important? Thankfully, the answers to these questions and many more on the subject are largely straightforward. With that, a healthy smile is within reach of all of us as long as we put appropriate preventative care measures in place.
Read on for a five-minute guide to dental preventative care, starting with a closer look at the practice. We’ll also explain why it’s a process that’s vital for all of us while answering several of the most commonly asked questions on the topic.
Preventative Dental Care
Also commonly referred to as preventative dentistry, dental preventative care involves paying regular, expert attention to our teeth and gums. Dental preventative care is somewhat distinct from purely preventative dentistry because it places at-home best practices front and center.
These at-home best practices include twice-daily brushing with fluoride toothpaste and flossing, for example. That’s in addition to maintaining a healthy diet – a lesser-known aspect of dental preventative care. These best practices are then backed up by scheduled oral exams and professional cleanings at a dentist’s office.
As a part of these exams, patients can tap into diagnostic services like X-rays. Dentists use these and other similar measures to catch early warning signs of potential problems. Such exams are also known as oral evaluations or dental check-ups. Professional cleanings completed in tandem are then a similarly important part of effective preventative care. Accordingly, the process sees that every necessary action is taken to ensure a lifelong healthy smile.
Why Is Dental Preventative Care Important?
So, why exactly is dental preventative care so important? First and foremost, dental preventative care is central to preventing oral diseases. However, it’s also essential for maintaining a healthy smile more generally. Moreover, dental care doesn’t just encapsulate day-to-day maintenance and the necessary check-ups required for a healthy smile. It can further involve a dentist applying sealants to prevent decay and offering supplementary fluoride treatments, particularly for children.
When working with a dentist on an effective preventative care plan, patients may also receive expert educational instruction. Usually provided by a dentist or dental hygienist, they may offer guidance on proper brushing techniques and using additional oral hygiene aids. Where necessary, they may, at the same time, lend support in terms of nutritional advice or help with tobacco cessation counseling.
FAQs about Dental Preventative Care
At Dolphin Dental Group, we’re eager to help our patients gain the best possible understanding of what preventative care entails. As such, we’ve delved into a small number of other frequently asked questions on the topic, starting with a common query surrounding examples of dental preventative care for your teeth.
What Are Three Examples of Preventative Care for Your Teeth?
The three main examples of dental preventative care are arguably among the most important. By and large, these are a combination of daily brushing and flossing. That’s alongside eating a healthy, balanced diet and paying scheduled visits to the dentist. Those looking to exercise the best possible preventative care at home can also take things further by implementing additional measures.
One of the most beneficial such measures is ensuring the use of fluoride-containing toothpaste. Patients can approach their dentist for advice regarding which brands are the best. Alternatively, individuals across the board can turn to the American Dental Association’s list of approved options in order to pick a suitable solution.
Is a Filling Considered Preventative Care?
No, fillings aren’t considered a part of dental preventative care. Instead, fillings and other similar services such as root canal treatments are widely deemed a part of the remedial care required to help rectify existing problems.
However, the good news is that with appropriate dental preventative care, people can often avoid fillings and root canals in the first place. The same is similarly true of things like periodontal treatments and tooth extractions. These, too, can be circumvented in many cases where preventative care measures are being taken.
What Are the Components of Preventative Dentistry?
For the most part, preventative dentistry starts at home. Yet, purely in terms of visits to your preferred dental office, the process revolves around various key components. While these may vary from dentist to dentist, the list of components generally begins with examination and analysis, followed by diagnostics and any other necessary testing.
A dentist will then follow their examination, analysis, diagnostics, and further testing with any appropriate treatment that a patient may need.
Take the Next Step with Dolphin Dental Group
Now that you’re privy to the basics of dental preventative care, it’s essential to put any necessary measures into action. A great place to start is with a fantastic dentist. At Dolphin Dental Group, we specialize in cosmetic dentistry and restoration. We’re also on hand to help with patients’ general dentistry needs, tooth extractions, professional cleanings, dental implants, and more.
If you’d like to learn more about dental preventative care or have any other questions, we’d love to hear from you. Feel free to call or email. Alternatively, new and existing patients can visit our dental office in Seminole, Florida, where they’ll be greeted by a warm smile from our friendly, dedicated staff.
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