What Is Preventive Dentistry And Why Should You Care?

Preventive dentistry is also known as preventative dentistry. The term is often used online and in medical magazines but few people understand what it actually means. This is why we should take a look at it and talk about everything we have to know about preventive dentistry so you can choose a suitable Canberra dentist to visit.

Defining Preventive Dentistry

Just like the name implies, this type of dentistry refers to all activities that work to prevent the appearance of oral health issues. Preventive dentistry usually focuses on keeping the mouth, gums, and teeth healthy. The goal is always to prevent the appearance of gum disease, tooth decay, and other medical issues.

Why Is Preventive Dentistry Important?

When it comes to dental care, it is very important to be proactive. This is due to various reasons. For starters, preventative dentistry costs a lot less than tasks involved in restorative dentistry, like dental implants, dental crowns, and fillings. Because of this, most dental insurance plans will cover preventive treatments. But they do not cover advanced treatments. Even if you do not have insurance, cleaning appointments, which are a part of preventive dentistry, is so much cheaper than having to fill a cavity.

The second thing you should know is that when you are proactive, your gums and teeth stay healthier. It is much less likely to have to deal with tooth loss caused by tooth decay or gum disease.

Keep in mind that the mouth features numerous nerve endings. Oral health issues can easily become very painful. When proactive prevention is a priority, major dental issues will be avoidable. So, you will most likely be pain-free.

Last but not least, there are many studies that linked overall health with oral health. This practically means that when your mouth is healthy, your overall body health is better.

Preventive Dentistry In The Dentist’s Office

While there are some things you can do at home to improve oral health, it is always best to go to the dentist. This is because the dentist is the only person that can perform some tasks. It is very important to schedule some regular cleaning appointments. Dentists recommend cleanings to be done once every 6 months, or whenever needed.

When you go to the dentist for preventive dentistry, different techniques are conducted, like:

• Cleaning teeth to remove buildups of tartar and plaque.
• Checking gums and teeth for signs of gum disease or decay.
• Checking the tongue and other mouth areas to identify issues.
• Oral cancer screening.
• Screening for oral health conditions.
• Specialized treatments, like fluoride treatments.

Choosing The Best Preventive Dentist

In order to find a preventive dentist that you can trust, you can easily use the internet these days. All you really need to do is to make a list of all the dentists you can consider visiting close to where you live. Then, you need to learn as much as possible about the services offered. Fortunately, reviews can make this really simple. Just look for those reviews that are written by actual patients.