Preventative Dentistry: A Solution for Teeth Care of Every Age

The term preventative dentistry is used to describe oral care that involves not only treatment and maintenance, but also education. Daily teeth brushing and flossing, dental cleanings and learning more about oral health come together in preventative dentistry to ensure that children, as well as adults, have healthy teeth and gums.

Preventative Treatment with Dental Care

At the dentist, preventative treatment is provided in a number of ways. No matter the age of the patient, there are ways to provide treatment that helps the mouth stay healthy, preventing any teeth or gum issues in the future. With a regular dental exam, a form of prevention is provided as the dentist will be looking for any issues such as dental decay. After the exam, a recommendation can be made that can include teeth cleaning or repair work based on the patient.

More appointments may be needed, depending on the diagnosis. The goal is to detect any teeth or gum issues early, so they can be taken care of, avoiding major issues in the future. An example of this would be gum disease. If the dentist detects gum disease in the mouth, they can provide additional treatments and appointments to begin treating the condition. Without the checkup, the diagnosis would not have been made and the condition could have developed further without proper treatment, leading to the loss of teeth.

For Children

Preventative maintenance is perhaps most important for children. Kids need to have exams and cleanings from an early age to ensure quality dental health for their entire lifetime. Once a child’s teeth have been cleaned, be sure and practice good oral health at home, from brushing with the right toothpaste and flossing.

Dentists also provide a sealant for children as a preventative measure for healthy teeth. Young children whose permanent molars erupt from age 6 to 12 can be a candidate for a dental sealant. A sealant will be placed on the top surfaces of these molars to help prevent decay within the natural grooves of the back teeth.

Additional preventative measures can be taken over time with children including orthodontics. Braces can be helpful in straightening the teeth, preventing misalignment as the child ages and the jaw matures.

Benefits of Preventative Maintenance

Overall, the benefits of preventative maintenance are to ensure that both children and adults have healthy teeth and gums, avoiding any major issues in the future. Dentists want to help to keep gum disease at bay as well as assist with sensitivity within the teeth, cavities and other common conditions that occur.

Early signs of gum disease or cavities can be reversed. Without proper maintenance, such conditions are not caught early and cannot be reversed, requiring more rigorous treatment and time spent at the dentist to repair the condition.

To stay on top of your oral health, rely on preventative maintenance. Consult with our Chippewa dental office to learn more about preventative maintenance measures, learning more about what you can to do have healthy teeth and gums.