THE IMPORTANCE OF PREVENTIVE DENTISTRY

What Is Preventive Dentistry?

Preventive dentistry, simply put, is the practice of caring for your teeth to keep them healthy.  This helps to avoid cavities, gum disease and more.

It’s easier to stop oral health problems from happening in the first place than to repair the damage after it has happened.

Most dental problems take time to develop. When they do, they show no symptoms, which further aggravates the problem.  With preventive dentistry, you not only prevent these dental problems but also enhance your general health.


What Does Preventive Dentistry Include?

Preventive dentistry is a combination of developing good habits at home and visiting the dental office regularly.

Here are some good preventive recommendations:

.           Brush and floss your teeth at least twice each day.  Use a soft tooth bristled toothbrush and replace your brush regularly.

.           Use fluoride toothpaste, mouth rinse and get a professional fluoride treatment in the dental office to help strengthen your teeth and prevent tooth decay.

.           Eat a healthy, balanced diet to protect your dental and overall health. Limit your intake of sugar and simple carbohydrates which feed the bacteria that cause cavities and gum disease.

.           Visit your dentist twice a year to maintain good oral health and check for any problems in the teeth and gums.  Get a thorough cleaning and dental x-rays.  X-rays reveal problems invisible to the naked eye before they become bigger problems.

 

Benefits of Preventive Dentistry

Less Expense 

Even if you don’t have dental insurance, a cleaning appointment is significantly cheaper than getting even a minor cavity fixed. Making a small investment in preventative care can save you thousands in the future

Less Time in the Dental Chair

If given the choice between spending hours in the dental chair or a few minutes each day brushing and flossing it seems that the answer is obvious!    

Less Pain

Being proactive about your dental health can help to avoid painful dental emergencies, infections and treatments such as root canals. 

Better Health

Oral health is connected to the health of your body as a whole.  A healthy mouth can help to reduce the risk for other major health issues such as heart attack and stroke. 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Considering that oral health is linked to overall health, preventive dentistry is important to your overall well-being.  To learn more about how we can help you with your preventive dental care, please contact us at Loveland Family Dentistry (970) 667-6101.  We would love to learn more about your unique situation and find a plan that’s right for you!

 

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