Serious dental health problems such as tooth decay (cavities), tooth infections and gum disease can be painful, costly and time-consuming. The best way to treat these problems is to avoid having them in the first place with preventive dentistry. Preventive dentistry refers to a group of dental services that can be used to prevent dental health issues. These services include but are not limited to dental cleanings and checkups, fluoride treatments and sealants.
Dental cleanings and checkups provide a great opportunity for your dentist to check for any signs of decay, infection, gum disease and oral cancer. It also enables a specially trained dental hygienists to clean your teeth using specialized equipment. A professional cleaning by a trained dental hygienists can remove any plaque or tartar from the surfaces of your teeth that cannot be eliminated with regular flossing and brushing. If you do not have any major dental health issues, you should visit your dentist’s office every six months for a routine dental cleaning and checkup. If you have severe decay or gum disease, you may need to visit the dentist’s office more often. Pregnant women and people with braces are sometimes recommended to visit the dentist for dental cleanings more often than every six months.
Fluoride treatments are special treatments that can be used to strengthen the teeth and prevent tooth decay. This painless treatment can be performed during a routine dental checkup and can be used for children as well as adults.
Sealants are a protective coating that can be placed on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth to prevent cavities. This is also a painless treatment that can be performed during a routine dental cleaning and checkup. Sealants are recommended for children and in some cases, adults.
The old adage “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” is especially true when it comes to your dental health. If you have not been to visit your dentist in more than six months, schedule an appointment today!
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