The whole idea of preventive anything is to beef up protection in the hopes that it won’t happen to you. We are big advocates of prevention. Truth be told, many ailments that are seen in the dental chair could have and can be prevented.
What exactly is preventive dentistry? Well, a lot of it starts at home:
- Brush twice per day
- Floss between teeth once per day
- Eat a balanced diet
- Avoid food and drinks that cause decay, or ruin enamel
- Maintain three and six month appointments
All of the above are daily habits that are in the hands of the patient. If each of those steps is followed, dental disease and tooth decay can be avoided.
In the event that the patient plays sports or tends to grind their teeth in their sleep, a mouth guard or “night guard” can be worn to protect the teeth and prevent the patient from chipping a tooth, quite literally, on the field or in their sleep.
Here are some of the preventive measures taken at the dentist’s office:
- Cleanings
- X Rays
- Sealants
- Fluoride treatments
- Oral antibiotics
- Mineralization
- Cancer screenings
Dental disease can most certainly be prevented but if diagnosed early enough is also treatable. When a patient is diagnosed with dental disease and given the proper consultation, a patient can understand and assist with their own treatment plan.
When dental disease goes undiagnosed and untreated, it can lead to serious health problems.
- Infection
- Bone damage
- Nerve damage
- Death
Death from lack of dental maintenance, while rare, does happen.
Each of the above complications can be avoided with a solid preventive care plan, which really starts at home. Using a fresh toothbrush, flossing and keeping regular appointments with your dentist’s office are a sure fire way to stay out of the chair.
So, contact Anderson & Zentz Dental today to schedule your dental exam, keeping your mouth, and body healthy and clean!
