Why preventive dentistry should be important to you

Why preventive dentistry should be important to you

Why preventive dentistry should be important to you

Prevention is better than cure – which should now be common knowledge in maintaining not only good health but oral health.

Preventive dentistry focuses on preventing dental issues rather than waiting to fix broken or worn down teeth. At the heart of preventive dentistry is the belief that if you follow all the important steps of maintaining good oral hygiene, many dental issues or emergencies can be prevented.

Why do I need preventive dentistry?

If you speak to any of our dentists at Dentalcare West they will tell you that most of the dental issues that their clients experience result from poor oral hygiene.  Patients who don’t maintain good oral hygiene and ignore their dental health until it creates major issues for them increase the risk of emergency dental care and a not so happy wallet. Instead of relying on a cure to treat dental ailments, preventive dentistry focuses on taking care of one’s teeth so the risk of developing a major disease diminishes.

What does preventive dentistry include?

Preventive dentistry generally includes the following:

Regular brushing and flossing– Brushing your teeth twice every day and flossing at least once helps remove plaque from the teeth. If you don’t brush or floss regularly, plaque can build up inside your mouth to create acid-producing bacteria that cause tooth decay and gum disease. An important thing to remember is that while many people make it a point to brush twice a day, the duration for which they brush is often less than a minute. All dentists will recommend that one should brush for at least two minutes.

Healthy diet– In addition to regular brushing and flossing, having a healthy diet also plays a major role in preventive dentistry. Eating cheese, chicken, nuts and meat protects tooth enamel while chocolates and carbonated soft drinks increase the risk of tooth decay and gum diseases. Eating a healthy diet not only benefits dental health but also works wonders for your overall health.

Fluoride use- Fluoride has been used as a defence against tooth decay. We use it in toothpastes as well as our water supply to give daily protection to our teeth. While there is a general amount of fluoride recommended to patients some patients however need more than others, so if you think you would benefit from more fluoride but are unsure have a chat with your dentist!

Routine dental visits– Many dental problems don’t have any major signs or symptoms until they reach an advanced stage. Therefore, it is important to visit a dentist every six to twelve months to detect any problems before they become ‘cavities’.