Dentist - Preventative Dentistry Explained

Preventative dentistry is something your dentist is likely to talk to you about. In short, it is the method of preventing future problems with your oral health by taking steps now to do so. Instead of just coming in to see this professional when you have a problem, you can stop the problems from occurring in the first place by incorporating preventative steps. There are some things you can do and others your dentist has to do to encourage the development of a healthy mouth.

Regular Care

One of the most important things you can do to improve your oral health is to give your teeth attention on a daily basis. This means you need to floss at least two times per day. You need to brush twice a day. You also need to use a mouth rinse. In addition, going to the dentist at least one time every six months works as a type of preventative care. Individuals can do these things to prevent damage to their teeth.

Talk to Your Provider

You may wish to talk to your dentist about other types of preventative care, including the use of dental sealants. These act as a barrier to protect your teeth from bacteria that causes decay. A sealant is a type of material that is placed on the chewing surfaces of your back teeth, usually just the molars and premolars. This is a type of resin that bonds into the grooves of the top of your teeth and helps to create a chewing surface that's protected. This type of sealant works to protect your teeth from the acids in the food you need as well as the bacteria that enters the mouth on a regular basis.

There are numerous reasons why you may need to use this type of preventative dentistry, but most people can benefit from it. While brushing your teeth and flossing does work well to help to remove the food and debris that gets caught between the teeth, it is hard for the bristles of a toothbrush to get into all of these grooves. This leads to damage to the tooth that's avoidable in many instances. When a sealant is placed over the top of the tooth, it works to protect this vulnerable areas of the teeth, therefore preventing any bacteria from entering the inner portion of the teeth.

Not everyone needs this type of procedure, but many people will benefit from using it. It is a good idea to turn to your dentist to inquire about the options right for you when it comes to using sealants. If you do need them, they are a relatively easy procedure for your provider to use and in most cases it will only takes a few minutes for each of the teeth to get this type of sealing. You will be able to chew as you normally do, too. You may not even notice it but it does work to protect your teeth long term.