September 12, 2019
Having good overall health can impact your oral health directly through systemic connections between body systems. Your cardiovascular health, immune system function, and blood sugar control all influence the condition of your teeth and gums.
How Does Overall Health Affect Your Oral Health?
Maintaining optimal oral health requires understanding the connection between your mouth and your entire body. Systemic diseases like diabetes can increase your risk of gum disease. Heart disease and oral infections share common inflammatory pathways that can worsen both conditions.What Is Preventive Dentistry?
Preventive dentistry is a comprehensive form of dental care that helps patients maintain good oral health through proactive measures and early intervention strategies. It involves scheduling regular dental checkups every six months and developing healthy daily habits like routine brushing and flossing. When you care for your teeth starting from a young age, these preventive habits continue throughout the rest of your life. Preventive dentistry focuses on preventing dental problems like cavities and gum disease before they occur rather than treating them after they develop into more serious conditions.Common Preventive Dentistry Services
Your dentist in West Edmonton offers several essential preventive dentistry services designed to maintain your oral health:- Regular oral exams– these comprehensive dental evaluations should be scheduled every six months or sooner based on your individual risk factors.
- Professional teeth cleaning– professional dental cleaning involves removing plaque buildup and tartar deposits from the surfaces of your teeth, polishing them with specialized tools, and flossing them thoroughly.
- Routine X-rays– routine dental X-rays allow your dentist to identify issues like cavities between teeth that are invisible to the naked eye during visual examination. X-rays make it possible to spot dental problems early on before they worsen and require more extensive treatment. Early intervention through preventive care prevents the need for extensive and expensive restorative procedures.
Preventive Dental Care in Edmonton
Preventive dental care begins with you establishing consistent daily oral hygiene routines at home. When you establish healthy dental habits early on, it can significantly minimize your risk of cavities, gum disease, and gingivitis throughout your lifetime.Essential Daily Oral Health Habits
The following are the basics of good oral health that should be practiced every day:- Brushing twice daily– you should be brushing your teeth each morning and each night using a soft-bristle toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste for two minutes each session.
- Floss daily– you should be flossing every day to remove plaque buildup and harmful bacteria from between your teeth. Flossing helps you remove food particles lodged between your teeth that your toothbrush cannot reach.
- Use antibacterial mouthwash– rinsing with therapeutic mouthwash can remove any food particles that are lingering after you have brushed and flossed.
- Eat a clean diet– avoid foods high in sugar and acid that can damage your teeth or harm your tooth enamel through acid erosion and bacterial growth.
- Do not smoke or use tobacco products– smoking and tobacco use can cause serious dental health concerns, including oral cancer, gum disease, and tooth loss.
- Wear a mouth guard– if you participate in contact sports or grind your teeth at night (bruxism), consult with your dentist in Edmonton about custom protective options.
Preventive Dental Care for Children
Once your child’s first primary tooth emerges, you can begin establishing preventive dental care routines that will benefit them throughout their lives. Preventive dental care for children can identify developmental issues early on before they pose a threat to your child’s overall wellbeing and proper oral development.Pediatric Preventive Dental Services
Comprehensive preventive dental care for children includes:- Promoting good dental habits for children through patient education and parental guidance on proper brushing techniques.
- Biannual professional teeth cleaning and comprehensive oral exams to monitor growth and development.
- Fluoride application treatments to strengthen developing tooth enamel and prevent cavities.
- Dental sealants applied to permanent molars to protect chewing surfaces from decay and bacteria.
- Routine X-rays to monitor tooth eruption patterns and jaw development progress.
- Custom athletic mouth guards for sports protection during contact activities.
- Referrals to orthodontists or pediatric dental specialists if developmental issues are identified.
Are Dental Fillings Part of Preventive Dentistry?
Dental fillings are not considered preventive dentistry services. Rather, they are categorized as “basic restorative services” that treat existing dental problems. These types of restorative services include dental extractions and root canal therapy procedures. A dental filling specifically is required when you have tooth decay that has created a cavity requiring removal of damaged tooth structure.The Benefits of Preventive Dentistry Near You
Regular preventive oral exams and maintenance care provide numerous advantages for your long-term oral health:Key Health and Financial Benefits
- They reduce your risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and other serious dental health issues through early detection and intervention.
- They promote healthy oral hygiene habits through professional guidance and comprehensive patient education.
- They can identify dental problems early on when treatment options are less invasive and significantly more cost-effective.
- They allow your dentist to conduct a comprehensive examination of your mouth, jaw, and neck for thorough health assessment and cancer screening.
- They help to lower your risk of dental complications that may be related to chronic medical conditions which include diabetes, heart disease, and osteoporosis.
