What Is Preventive Dentistry? What Does Preventive Dentistry Do?

What Is Preventive Dentistry?

It is any dental care measure that maintains good oral health, both short-term and long-term. Preventive Dentistry covers various dental protocols that protect oral features from infection and damage. Some treatments entail wearing oral devices, while others require professional services in a Debra clinic in Knoxville.

What Treatments Are in Preventive Dentistry?

Dentists in Knoxville offer various services in preventive dentistry for children and adults alike. The treatments help create a healthy foundation that will help maintain excellent oral health long term. Some of the top preventive dental care treatments are:

• Dental checkups – routine dental exams are the most common type of preventive care. They allow a dentist to evaluate your oral features, identifying any anomalies.
• Fluoride treatment – is a treatment that enriches teeth with fluoride, a natural mineral that builds strong teeth. It also decreases the risk of dental cavities.
• Dental sealants – are dental fillings that protect teeth from acids and bacteria that cause dental cavities. Dental sealants fill the deep fissures of the chewing surfaces of molars that have a high risk of dental cavities.
• Dental cleanings – are routine sessions with Dr. Terri Cribbs every 3 to 6 months. They entail a professional oral hygiene session to remove plaque and food residue from teeth surfaces, targeting the hard-to-reach parts of your mouth.
• Space maintainers – are preventive orthodontic appliances for children. They help save space in the jawbone to prevent existing teeth from shifting before permanent ones erupt.
• Oral cancer screenings – are tests that help examine your mouth for precancerous and cancerous cells. Oral cancer screenings can help detect signs of cancer early, heightening your chances of treating and curing the disease.
• Mouthguards – services in a dental clinic in Knoxville cater to teeth structures to prevent cracks, chips, and breaks. A mouthguard protects your teeth and jaw by absorbing shock after dental trauma.

What Does Preventive Dentistry Do for Your Oral Health?

Preventive dentistry plays a specific role in protecting your mouth from bacterial infections that may compromise health. Usually, the only way you can involve a dentist near you in your oral health before you have dental problems is through preventive dentistry. You may never need to visit a dentist in 37919 for emergency care or restorative treatments if you keep up with the various preventive dental measures.

Benefits of Preventive Dental Care

At TLC Dental Care, we ha e identified several benefits characteristic of patients who keep up with preventive dentistry. Some of them include the following:

• Excellent oral hygiene – preventive dental care disallows plaque and tartar from forming on your teeth surfaces. It helps complement your oral hygiene measures at home.
• Reduced risk of oral infections – preventive dentistry employs specific measures that destroy bacteria in the mouth, strengthen teeth, and protect soft tissues. Patients who visit their dentists in Knoxville have a significantly lower risk fi oral infections like gum disease and tooth decay.
• Early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of oral problems – the greatest hindrance to good oral health is delayed treatment. Routine dental exams ensure you treat underlying oral problems early before suffering permanent damage.
• Boosting overall body health – dentists do not solely care about your oral cavity. Preventive dental care measures cater to your general health. Besides, dentists understand that your general body health also impacts your oral health.
• Saving future expenses in restorative treatments – many patients who prioritize preventive dentistry do not require restorative care. You can go through life without needing dental crowns, root canal therapy, or tooth extractions.

Who Is Preventive Dentistry for?

Preventive dental care is not limited to a particular group of people. Instead, everyone must seek preventive dentistry as early as possible. You can avoid many oral issues you battle with if you start preventive dental care early. However, some people are more in need of preventive dental care than others, based on underlying risk factors, including the following:

• Having diabetes – you have a high risk of dental infections like gum disease when you have diabetes.
• Smoking – smokers need more oral care than non-smokers to prevent oral-related complications like oral cancer, gum disease, or dental cavities.
• Children – particularly during the cavity-prone ages of 6 – 14, ki are not the best at maintaining clean mouths or eating healthily.