The Benefits Of Preventive Dentistry

The Benefits Of Preventive Dentistry

Nov 01, 2021

Dental and medical health are interconnected in such a way that dental health problems can have adverse effects on the medical health of an individual and vice versa. To prevent dental problems, you have to take adequate care of your teeth to protect them from dangerous diseases and infections.

The teeth are indispensable in the smooth running of our daily lives. Your teeth are used to tear, cut, and chew food, that is, they are used for mastication which aids easy digestion of food. Also, they aid speech production and word pronunciation.

Finally, the teeth are responsible for the shape of the face. They support the jawbone and help to make the face firm. Therefore, in the absence of teeth due to disease, infection, or accident that causes tooth loss, carrying out these responsibilities might prove a difficult task.

The absence of teeth makes cutting, tearing, and chewing of food difficult.

Also, it makes speech production and word pronunciation difficult or almost impossible. Finally, with missing teeth, the jawbone loses its support. This can lead to bone loss, and also cause the face to sag, making you look older than your actual age. This might also cause wrinkles to appear on your face.

Therefore, loss of teeth or inability of the teeth to perform their function have adverse effects on dental health. Therefore they must be prevented. A good way to prevent dental diseases and infections is undergoing preventive dentistry in Easton, PA.

Preventive dentistry, also known as preventive dental care, refers to all the dental procedures involved in protecting and fortifying the teeth, gums, and mouth against oral health issues. Preventive dental services aim to keep the teeth, gums, and mouth healthy at all times, preventing them from dental diseases and infections like dental cavities, tooth decay, gum diseases, etc.

Preventive dental treatment also requires frequent appointments with a dentist in Easton, PA, for dental examinations, cleanings, and checkups.

Dental Diseases and Preventive Dental Care

In Maple Tree Dental, there are various preventive dental care services available to protect and fortify the teeth, tongue, and mouth against dental health issues.

Dental diseases and the available preventive dental care for them include:

Tooth Decay

Tooth decay is caused by the heavy presence of dental plaques in the mouth. Dental plaques are sticky films of bacteria that stick to the surface of the teeth. They are formed when bacteria in the mouth mix with saliva and sugary/starchy food particles. Plaques release acid that wears down the tooth enamel and causes decay. Tooth decay can lead to serious dental and health problems and is best avoided than treated.

Preventive dental care measures against tooth decay include:

  • Fluoride application: Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral found in natural resources like water, rock, plants, etc. It is used to strengthen the teeth and bones. Fluoride treatment can fortify the teeth against decay.
  • Dental Sealants: Dental sealants are wafer-thin plastic coatings painted on the occlusal surface of the teeth. This helps to prevent food particles from getting stuck in the fissures of the molars and premolars, thereby preventing decay.
  • Enameloplasty: This is a procedure in which the fissures and fossae of the molars and premolars are broadened to prevent food particles from getting stuck in them. This prevents the formation of plaques and prevents decay.
  • These preventive dental procedures help in the prevention of dental caries, cavities, and decay.

Gum Diseases

There are two types of gum diseases known as gingivitis and periodontitis. Gingivitis is the inflammation of the gums and it usually degenerates into periodontitis(gum disease). Gingivitis has milder symptoms than periodontitis, however, both stages are better avoided.

Preventive dental care measures against gum diseases include:

  • Oral Prophylaxis: This involves dental cleanings, X-rays, examinations, etc. Comprehensive dental examinations and X-rays help to detect and assess your risks of developing dental diseases. Dental cleanings help to clean the mouth thoroughly and rid it of all agents of dental diseases.

Benefits of Preventive Dentistry.

  • The benefits of preventive dentistry include:
  • It helps you to save money. Preventive dental care helps to identify dental problems early enough to treat them before they degenerate and become very expensive to treat.
  • It helps to reduce your risks of having tooth decay, gum diseases, and other dental problems.
  • It promotes healthy oral hygiene habits.
  • It helps to reduce dental health problems that lead to chronic medical conditions.
  • It helps to promote frequent dental checkups, examinations, and cleanings that ensure the wellness of your dental health.
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