Preventive Dentistry and Its Importance in Our Lives

Oral health forms a vital part of our lives as it directly, or indirectly, influences our overall health. But, certain oral diseases and infections deny us that flawless smile that we’ve always dreamt of. This is where preventive dentistry comes into the picture, which is solely intended towards preventing oral diseases even before they occur.

There are several preventive dental measures that one can take at home to keep infections at bay. However, despite maintaining regular oral hygiene, routine visits to the dentist’s office for consultations are advised to get a professional screening of the mouth.

The Importance of Oral Prophylaxis

Oral prophylaxis includes procedures intended towards halting the spread of infection and reducing its effect. Most oral diseases occur due to the accumulated plaque and tartar on the teeth. The microbes in the deposits release acids that have the ability to erode the enamel and infect the gums as well, leading to gum diseases such as gingivitis and periodontitis.

Scaling and root planing are widely practiced procedures to remove the tartar deposits from the surface of the teeth. The dentist uses a hand-held ultrasonic scaler for this purpose. The tip of the scaling device vibrates at ultrasonic frequencies, thereby dislodging the tartar deposits. Root planing is a similar procedure but used to remove tartar from the root surfaces and to smoothen them out to prevent the accumulation of microbes and debris.

Getting oral cleaning done considerably reduces the chances of developing gum diseases and cavities. The color of the teeth will also be restored to its natural shade by getting rid of the dark deposits. Also, patients experience fresher breath after getting scaling and root planing done.

Oral Cancer Screening

Oral cancer has claimed millions have lives, and without proper preventive measures, it would claim many more in the future. When you visit our office for an oral cancer screening, we would thoroughly examine the insides of your mouth. Any signs of bleeding, tissue decay, the release of pus, formation of abscess, lumps, lesions, etc. will be inspected. In case the cancer is confirmed, further action will be taken to remove the infected tissues and stop the spread of the disease.

More Than One Way to Prevent Cavities

Oral cleaning isn’t the only way to reduce the chances of developing cavities. The occlusal grooves on the molars and premolars can house thousands of bacteria despite thorough brushing. We would use sealants to cover them and prevent debris and microbes from getting deposited in them. Also, a fluoride treatment would increase the teeth’ resistance to cavities as fluoride strengthens the teeth.

Preventive dentistry always starts at home with regular brushing and flossing. Dentists recommend brushing and flossing at least twice a day with fluoride-rich toothpaste using a soft bristle toothbrush. This prevents any inflammation to the gums or the tongue. Also, make sure you don’t leave any food residues between the teeth as it gives the bacteria something to feed, which directly promotes tooth decay. Reach out to us and we’ll guide you further on preventive dentistry.