Understanding Preventive Dentistry for a Healthier Smile

By Your Health Magazine

Your Health Magazine

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Understanding Preventive Dentistry for a Healthier Smile

Want to learn how to take care of your teeth for life?

See, most people think of dental care as a reactive process – treating problems as they occur. But there’s a better way to approach things. The ounce of prevention…you know the rest.

This approach can save you thousands of dollars and years of pain and hassle. Let’s dig in.

The problem

Only 35% of adults say their oral health is “excellent” or “very good”. Yet 83% of people say oral health is important to them. There’s a huge disconnect between the goal and the outcome.

The solution

Practice preventive dentistry

What you’ll learn

1. What Is Preventive Dentistry?
2. Why Preventive Care Saves You Money
3. The Essential Components of Preventive Dentistry
4. How to Build Your Prevention Strategy

What is preventive dentistry?

Preventive dentistry is pretty self-explanatory. It’s taking steps to prevent dental health problems before they occur.

Instead of waiting for cavities to develop, gum disease to set in, or teeth to fall out, you take action to keep your mouth and teeth healthy. This includes regular care, good habits, and treating small issues early.

It’s sort of like car maintenance. You don’t wait for the engine to blow to change the oil, right? The same logic should apply to your teeth.

Here’s why preventive dentistry works so well:

• Regular cleanings and exams help remove plaque buildup you can’t access at home and identify issues in their early stages.
• Early intervention prevents small issues from turning into big (and expensive) problems later.
• Professional treatments strengthen and protect your teeth from future damage.
• Good habits at home prevent most dental health issues from developing in the first place.

It’s really pretty straightforward.

But here’s the other thing…

Why preventive care saves you money

The cost savings of practicing preventive oral health care are literally staggering.

Adults who practice good preventive oral health care habits have 31% lower dental care costs over a five-year period, according to this study. On the other hand, dental patients who don’t practice preventive care experience a 43% increase in annual dental costs.

Here’s what that means in actual dollars:

• Basic filling: $100-$300 per tooth
• Root canal: $700-$1,500 per tooth (and then you have to add a crown)
• Extraction and implant: $3,000-$5,000 per tooth

Get the idea?

Here’s the kicker…

Adults who don’t practice preventive oral health care or who delay preventive care can pay up to 3.6 times more for dental care annually. In fact, people who get preventive dental care wait an average of 3.2 years between treatments and visits. People who don’t practice preventive care visit their dentist every 1.3 years, on average.

So, it’s not only that preventive care saves you money in the long run. It saves you time and hassle as well.

But wait, there’s more.

Not to get too policy wonk here, but did you know that poor oral health costs the U.S. economy $45 billion annually in lost productivity due to dental-related absenteeism? I mean, when you have a toothache, you can’t exactly be productive at work.

Which means that preventive dentistry isn’t just important for your pocketbook. It’s important for your career and your quality of life as well.

The essential components of preventive dentistry

Preventive dentistry has a few key components that work together to protect your mouth and teeth.

Professional Cleanings and Checkups

Regular professional cleanings and checkups are the foundation of preventive dentistry. During these appointments, your dental hygienist scrapes away hardened plaque (tartar) on the surface of your teeth and between your teeth. Tartar is a yellow or brown substance that you can’t remove with brushing and flossing at home.

Your dentist also uses the appointment to check for early signs of problems. Identifying a small cavity means a simple filling rather than a root canal in the future.

How often should you go? Most professional dental care providers recommend professional cleanings and checkups every six months. But higher-risk individuals may need to visit the dentist more frequently.

Dental Sealants

Dental sealants are one of the most effective preventive tools, yet most people have never heard of them.

Dental sealants can prevent up to 80% of cavities on the chewing surfaces of back teeth. That’s a massive success rate for such a simple procedure.

Dental sealants are thin, protective coatings applied to the grooves of back teeth. They create a barrier that blocks bacteria and food particles from getting trapped in the hard-to-clean grooves and depressions of back teeth.

And the best part? Sealants are quick, painless, and relatively inexpensive. They’re especially beneficial for children and teens, but adults can benefit from sealants as well.

Fluoride Treatments

Fluoride strengthens tooth enamel and helps reverse early stages of tooth decay. Professional fluoride treatments provide a more concentrated fluoride dose than over-the-counter toothpaste or mouthwash products.

Your dentist may recommend fluoride treatments if you have a higher risk of cavities. This could be due to dry mouth conditions, frequent snacking or sipping sugary drinks, a history of cavities, or deeply grooved teeth, for example.

Daily Home Care

Day-to-day at-home care is a big part of preventive dentistry. In fact, your daily habits are the most important factor in your overall oral health.

Here are the basics that actually work:

• Brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste
• Daily flossing to remove plaque and food particles between teeth
• Using an antimicrobial mouthwash
• Limiting sugary snacks and drinks
• Avoiding using your teeth as tools (opening bottles, tearing bags, etc.)

Seriously, it’s that simple. The trick is to do these things consistently.

Advanced prevention strategies

Once you have the basics down, there are additional strategies that you can incorporate to take your oral health to the next level.

Nutrition for oral health

What you eat (and don’t eat) affects the health of your teeth. Calcium and vitamin-rich foods support strong teeth and gums.

Good choices: dairy products, leafy green vegetables, nuts, and water.

Bad choices: sugary snacks, acidic foods, and sticky candies (that get trapped in teeth).

Custom mouthguards

If you grind your teeth at night or play sports, a custom mouthguard can prevent damage and future repair bills.

Oral cancer screenings

Oral cancer screenings are included in your regular dental checkup. Early detection is key, and it only takes a few minutes.

Wrapping up your journey to better oral health

So there you have it, a complete guide to understanding and practicing preventive dentistry.

Preventive dentistry isn’t complicated. But it is powerful. By focusing on prevention, rather than treatment, you will save thousands of dollars, avoid painful dental procedures, and enjoy healthy smiles for life.

The statistics speak for themselves. People who practice preventive oral health care have better oral health. They also spend less money on dental treatments and miss less time at work due to dental problems.

To recap, here’s what to do to get started:

• Schedule a comprehensive dental exam.
• Establish a daily oral care routine.
• Follow your dentist’s recommendations.
• Practice prevention for the rest of your life.

Your future self will thank you for doing this today.