Oral health plays a massive role in the beauty of your smile and overall well-being. Tooth decay and gum disease can be catastrophic on that perfect smile and eventually affect your quality of life. Although they are treatable when caught early, prevention is always the better path to take. Stopping issues before they take hold is the golden key to dental care.

The best way to maintain and protect your oral health is through preventive dental care. Preventive dental care is the practice of caring for your teeth and gums through good oral hygiene habits and regular dental checkups. At 32 Ivory Lane, we suggest beginning preventive dental care during childhood and practicing brushing those teeth throughout adulthood. 

At-home practice includes brushing and flossing and anything else you do without your dentist’s expert care. 

Scheduling regular dental checkups is the easiest way to keep your life free of dental woes. Aside from keeping your smile beautiful, routine checkups are crucial for preventing serious oral health issues. Easily preventable issues like gum inflammation and abscesses can cause health problems in other areas of your body. These problems can lead to heart disease, infection, and loss of bone mass.

Catching problems early can save unnecessary pain and loss of money and are the easiest way to see issues while they are still treatable. 

What Happens During My First Checkup?

During your first checkup, your dentist and hygienist will give you an oral exam of your teeth and gums, followed by treatment recommendations for any dental issues. If you have healthy gums, they give you a cleaning to remove hardened plaque and polish your teeth. If they detect periodontal disease, you will need to have gum therapy done. To learn more click here.

Which Services are Considered Preventive Dentistry?

Preventive dental care is actions taken by a patient to prevent oral diseases and maintain a healthy smile. Follow the link to learn more. Read below for more information on which services are considered preventive dentistry:

1. X-rays and Dental Exams

Dental exams are an evaluation of your specific oral health. Your dentist visually checks for signs of tooth decay, gum disease, and even oral cancer in each dental visit. They use digital x-rays to check for abscesses and tumors that may be invisible during a visual exam.

2. Teeth Cleanings

Teeth cleanings are professional dental cleanings at your dentist’s practice at least twice a year. Intensive cleaning like scaling and root planing may be necessary to remove bacteria, shrink pockets, and promote healing if you suffer from gum disease.

3. Oral Health Education

Getting the correct medical advice to properly take care of your teeth is the first step to the best oral health. As part of preventive dentistry, you will get tips and advice on the best methods and products to maintain optimal oral health.

4. Fluoride and Sealants

Dental sealants are specialized coatings that your dentist applies to your teeth to protect them against cavities. They form a barrier between bacteria and your enamel and prevent food from sticking into the grooves of your teeth. Fluoride treatments strengthen your enamel with minerals, reducing the risk and even preventing tooth decay.

5. Mouthguard

Engaging in high contact sports or extreme activities like off-road biking or full-contact football exposes you to falls and accidents. Mouthguards are ideal for you to protect against any trauma.

Dental insurance companies prioritize preventive dental care because of the vital role it plays in overall oral health. Because of this, preventive dental services are often covered at 100 percent with minimal out-of-pocket costs.

Why is preventive dentistry important?

Preventive dentistry is essential for kids because it paves the future with healthy teeth and gums. Dental exams and professional cleanings can ensure a lifetime of good dental health at an early age before bacteria have the chance to build up. 

What is Not Considered Preventive Dental Care?

After learning what preventive dentistry entails, knowing what does not count as preventive dental care is essential, understanding the differences will help you plan effectively for your oral health.

Any treatment that aims at treating already existing dental problems does not count as preventive dental care. These include significant procedures like:

• oral surgery 
• tooth fillings 
• root canal therapy 
• orthodontics
• periodontal treatments
• tooth extractions 
• cosmetic dental treatments

Our dentists and friendly staff at 32 Ivory Lane Dental and Orthodontics in Justin, Texas, are happy to serve you. If you have any questions about preventive dental services or how you can better your oral health at home, please do not hesitate to contact us. We look forward to meeting you.