Preventative dentistry follows a very similar line of thought that was probably used by your parents when you were growing up – especially during your teen years. “We’re trying to help you avoid the same mistakes we made when we were your age,” they might have said – frequently! What they desperately wanted to convey was the fact that, based on hindsight due to their age, they saw a pattern of behavior and knew, from experience, what the result was going to be for you.
Mom and dad hoped they could arm you with insight or information you could use to prevent making similar mistakes. Learning from our own mistakes is a tremendously valuable skill but, it can also be a costly, tiresome process.
But what if you could avoid a problem altogether? What if you never had to learn an expensive lesson from a mistake because, armed with foreknowledge, you never made the mistake, to begin with? Well, that would be a significant advantage. It’s also the fundamental concept underlying preventative dentistry.
What’s Preventative Dentistry?
Preventative dentistry involves regular care for your teeth and gums to avoid, prevent, or identify any acute or systemic problems in those areas in order to help promote a lifetime of sound, overall oral health. Preventative dentistry evaluates both your current needs as well as potential future needs or issues of concern.
When you really think about it, it’s no different than keeping your car regularly serviced in order to prevent unexpected problems or expenses. You check the tire pressure, oil and other fluid levels, filters, and other vital systems to keep the car running smoothly and in good working order. And, you do it because your car is your lifeline to work, the grocery store, family events, a night out, and much more.
Your car is a critical, essential element to your life – just like healthy teeth and gums are essential to not only good oral health but to your overall health and well-being.
Advantages of Preventative Dentistry
You make sure your tires are okay before you take a vacation because you don’t want to be stranded by the side of the road listening to, “I told you so’s,” and a gaggle of whining, hungry kids without wi-fi. So, you check your tires in advance to prevent any problems along the way.
Regular cleanings, exams, and check-ups are essential to preventing problems later on for everyone but, especially for children. With regular maintenance, your dentist has the ability of foreknowledge, yep, just like mom and dad. He or she can see and track what’s going on with your teeth, gums, bite, etc., to alert you to any existing or potential problematic issues you might not be aware of yet. In so doing, your dentist can help you to avoid or prevent:
- Significant Unexpected Expenses
- Unexpected Dental Procedures
- Unnecessary Procedures
- Frequent Dental Visits
- Possible Long-term Discomfort
Additionally, preventative dentistry gives you current information as well as advance knowledge to assist in making the best possible decision regarding your oral care. As such, this puts you in complete control regarding treatment options, costs, and all other decisions effecting your oral care.
What Negative Health Conditions Can Preventative Dentistry Help to Avoid?
Here are a few of the health issues that maintaining good oral health can help you to avoid or prevent.
- Losing Healthy Teeth
- Gum Recession
- Gum Disease
- Bite Problems
- Cardiovascular Disease
- Diabetes
- Some Cancers
Farragut and Knoxville’s Cosmetic Dentist
As a cosmetic dentist we have the ability to care for our family dentistry and restorative dentistry patients on a very comprehensive level. Given that cosmetic dentistry provides complete oral health care with an emphasis on preventive and maintenance measures, corrects oral imperfections, and helps to enhance a patient’s overall facial esthetics, we’re extremely detail-oriented and meticulous regarding the caliber of our work and the care we extend to each and every patient.
If there’s anything we can do to help you or your family, whether it’s preventative needs, cosmetic, family, or restorative in nature, please contact us here.
