The best offense is indeed a good defense, and regular dental exams, coupled with excellent oral hygiene at home, are the best way to defend against tooth loss. Preventative dentistry offers myriad diagnostic opportunities to identify small problems before they have a chance to become major threats to your oral health. Here’s a look at ways that preventative dentistry can safeguard your mouth, and your overall health.
- Minor Decay is Caught Early
Seeing a dentist twice a year ensures that decay does not have time to take root in your teeth. Treatments such as fillings can be used preventatively to eliminate the need for a future root canal and crown. Tiny fractures in the teeth can be treated as soon as they are discovered before significant cracks develop and allow infections to set in.
- Aligning Teeth Can Prevent Pain, Decay, and Erosion
Treating teeth that are not aligned properly certainly helps improve the aesthetic look of your smile, but it actually serves a much more important purchase. Misaligned teeth, which overlap one another can lead to a build-up of bacteria, resulting in tooth decay and gum disease. When you see your dentist regularly, they can notify you of any need to correct your alignment. Discreet and effective treatments such as Invisalign can prevent problems including excessive wear of teeth, decay in teeth, and even fractures in teeth.
- Prevent Other Health Problems
Now more than ever, dentists, scientists, and doctors are sounding the alarm about the dangers of poor oral health. The reason? Gum disease, periodontitis, and poor oral hygiene are now being linked to a variety of very serious health conditions including cardiovascular disease, heart attack, stroke, low birth weight, and many other serious medical conditions. When bacteria is able to enter the bloodstream through infections in the mouth, you’re at greater risk for developing these conditions. By contrast, regular dental exams allow your dentist to proactively, and immediately begin treating gum disease so that you’re not putting your overall health at risk.
- Screen for Cancer
You may not know it, but every time you see your dentist for a regular exam and cleaning, you’re also being screened for oral cancer. Your dentist is looking for any signs of lesions, tumors, or changes in tissue which may be an early warning sign of cancer. But your dentist looks even further, with digital x-rays to identify any potentially dangerous changes in your jaw, face, and neck not visible to the naked eye.
- Preservation of Natural Teeth
Although many state-of-the-art treatments are available to replace missing teeth, including dental implants, it is always preferable to preserve natural teeth. Preventative dentistry focuses on maintaining your own teeth, to prevent costly replacements later. The natural teeth and their roots play a critical role in maintaining a strong jaw bone. Having a healthy jaw bone keeps your facial structure intact, and prevents premature aging caused by missing teeth. Wherever possible, your dentist will attempt to save your natural teeth, and they are aided in this endeavor when you schedule regular appointments.
Small Investments Into Preventative Care Can Save You Money
Regular dental exams and corrections when problems are identified can save you a lot of money in the future. Rather than requiring extensive tooth replacements, and other comprehensive treatments in the future, when you see your dentist for oral exams and cleanings every six months, you’re liable to save a great deal of money in the long run.
Schedule a Dental Exam and Cleaning in Silver Spring
Dr. Bikoi champions preventative care as the best way to preserve your natural teeth. Regular dental cleanings and exams, when supported by twice-daily brushing and daily flossing can ensure lasting oral health for years to come. Schedule a dental exam and cleaning at Artistic Family Dentistry of Silver Spring today. Contact us today at 240-641-5828.