10 Things You Should Know About Preventive Dental Care

Most people wait until there is an oral health problem before visiting the dentist. This is not always a great idea since, by that time, the issues will have escalated. They will necessitate lengthy, invasive, and costly treatments. Fortunately, you can avoid such problems through preventive dentistry in Peabody, MA. Continue reading for more about preventive dental care.

• 1. What Is Preventive Dentistry?

It is a type of oral care that helps patients maintain a healthy mouth. Preventive dentistry combines professional dental checkups and at-home oral hygiene. The dentist performs various preventive treatments to help you avoid oral health issues. This branch of dentistry helps prevent oral health issues rather than treat them.

• 2. Who Needs Preventive Dental Care?

These treatments are recommended for everyone, kids and adults. A child should start visiting the dentist before age one for preventive dentistry in Peabody, MA. Adults, too, benefit from dental exams and cleanings, fluoride treatments, and dental sealants. Everyone is an ideal preventive dentistry patient.

• 3. Which Procedures Are Performed in Preventive Dentistry?

Preventive dental treatments include dental cleaning, exams, sealant application, and fluoride treatments. Dental exams involve checking the teeth, gums, jaws, and throat for signs of disease. The dentist will also check for potential infection. The dentist uses handheld concave mirrors, x-ray machines, and other equipment.

Dental cleanings involve plaque and tartar removal. Scaling, root planing, polishing, flossing, and fluoride application are also included. Dental sealants application is the painting of a protective resin layer on teeth. It keeps away plaque and oral bacteria, preventing decay. Finally, fluoride treatments help protect teeth against cavities or reverse early cavities.

• 4. Which Benefits Can You Expect from Preventive Dentistry?

Preventive dental care helps reduce the risk of cavities, gum disease, and related health issues. These include heart disease, respiratory infections, and diabetes. It also prevents tooth sensitivity, gum recession, abnormal tooth wear, and tooth loss. In addition, it helps you avoid dental discomforts, invasive therapies, and expensive treatments.

The exams help reduce the risk of diseases such as advanced oral cancer. Again, it is because your dentist will frequently screen for the condition so that it is caught early. Consequently, you will receive treatment on time to increase your chances of healing.

• 5. What Is Your Role in Preventive Dentistry?

As awesome as the dentist in Peabody, MA is, they cannot always be there to help you maintain a healthy mouth. You, too, have a role in preventive dentistry. Here are some at-home tips for you.

• Brush your teeth properly for two minutes each time in the morning and evening.
• Floss daily to reduce the risk of gum disease and decay between teeth.
• Ensure your diet contributes to strong, healthy teeth.
• Change lifestyle habits such as using tobacco products.
• Avoid habits that harm teeth, such as nail biting and opening bottles or packages using your teeth. If you have bruxism, seek help from a dentist.
• Use a customized mouthguard during contact sports to prevent dental trauma.

• 6. Cost of Preventive Dental Care

Preventive dentistry treatments are covered by insurance to a certain percentage. For example, kids’ dental sealants get 100% coverage. Therefore, you should not worry about breaking the bank for dental treatments. If you do not have insurance, you can get dental health financing.

• 7. Do Preventive Dental Treatments Hurt?

No, they do not. These dental procedures are non-invasive. The dentist uses suitable anesthesia where necessary to ensure you do not feel any pain. In addition, they will administer sedatives to calm you during the procedures if you have dental anxiety.

• 8. Do Preventive Dental Treatments Take a Lot of Time?

Most treatments take less than an hour to complete. For example, dental sealants are applied within 30 minutes. However, your initial dental exams and cleanings may take about two hours. This is because the dentist must perform comprehensive exams to help them assess your dental health.

• 9. Visit The Dentist Regularly.

Ensure you visit the dentist in Peabody, MA at least twice yearly. They will perform dental evaluations and cleanings. The expert will check your mouth and catch any potential issues early. They will also help you avoid caries and gum disease.

• 10. Where Can I Get Preventive Dental Care?

Contact us at Premier Family Dentistry for dentists who provide preventive dental care. We help the entire family maintain a healthy, attractive smile.