The Importance of Preventive Dentistry: Detecting Problems Early and Saving Money

Preventive dentistry is caring for your teeth through dental checkups and following the dentist’s recommendations on how to care for your teeth. This type of dentistry also involves practicing proper oral habits to prevent oral diseases. It is essential to know that preventive dental care starts with you. Before you look for a dentist who provides preventive dental care in Yuba City, ask yourself what measures you have taken to care for your teeth. If there’s none, then it is time to start. Teaching your kids proper oral habits ensures that they carry these good habits into adulthood. So, what are the benefits of preventive dental care? This piece will answer this question and more about preventive dentistry.

Understanding The Basics and Importance of Preventive Dental Care

As mentioned earlier, preventive dental care starts with taking care of your teeth, which means proper oral hygiene, the foods you consume, and your lifestyle habits. It also entails going to the dental office near you for regular dental checkups.

Developing proper dental habits helps reduce the chances of getting gingivitis, tooth decay, and cavities. Here are some of the benefits of preventive dental care:

• Helps in promoting good oral hygiene habits like brushing twice and flossing at least once daily.
• The dentist can identify oral problems and diseases before they become costlier and have more detrimental effects.
• It gives the dentist a chance to thoroughly examine your jaw, mouth, and neck and spot problems in their early stages.
• Lowers the risk of developing gum disease, serious dental problems, and tooth decay.
• Teaching your kid proper dental practices help them carry them into adulthood, protecting their teeth from oral diseases.
• Saves money in the long run- it might seem tiresome and expensive to go for regular dental cleanings and checkups, but it saves money in the long run. Failure to go for regular dental visits might lead to the progression of an oral problem that may have been treated in the early stages. Therefore, it might become more expensive to treat the oral problem.
• Improves your self-image- oral problems like stained teeth, missing teeth, and misaligned teeth can negatively affect your self-esteem. This is because smiling with misaligned or stained teeth can become challenging. Fortunately, preventive dental care ensures your teeth are white, healthy, and properly aligned.
• Avoiding the dentist’s chair- no one is comfortable sitting on the dentist’s chair for a procedure. This is because sitting there is associated with a lot of pain. So, if you do not want to be sitting on the dental chair for hours to save your tooth, practice proper oral hygiene and visit the dentist for checkups every six months.

Preventive Care Through Regular Checkups

Your dentist also plays a vital role in preventive dental care. Here are some of the preventive dental care services your dentist provides:

Dental exams and x-rays- the dentist performs an oral exam to thoroughly inspect your teeth and mouth to detect any signs of oral disease. They also take X-ray images to see if any underlying issues haven’t been detected by the naked eye. It would help if you went for dental exams and x-rays every 6 months.

Oral cancer screenings- visiting the preventive dentistry in Yuba City allows the dentist to look for any small tumors in your mouth that may indicate oral cancer.

Dental cleanings- daily brushing and flossing are not sufficient in keeping tartar and plaque at bay. Therefore going for dental cleanings is essential in preventing the build-up of plaque and tartar, which are the leading causes of periodontal disease.

Fluoride treatment and sealants- fluoride treatment and sealants strengthen your tooth’s enamel, preventing tooth decay and cavities. Sealants are usually recommended for kids to protect their teeth from decay at an early age. So, why don’t you bring your kid to Feather River Kids Dentistry of Yuba City for sealant application? These dental appliances will offer protection for a lifetime to prevent tooth decay and gum disease.

The Role of Nutrition In Preventive Dentistry

What you eat can also dictate the health of your teeth and gums. For instance, if you eat sugary foods, your teeth are prone to gum disease and infection. This is because sugar provides energy for harmful bacteria to erode your teeth.

On the other hand, if you stick to a healthy balanced diet and drink lots of water, you ensure your teeth and gums are free of disease-causing bacteria. Foods that are good for optimal oral health include whole grains, lean meat, healthy dairy, fresh fruits, and vegetables.