Preventive dental care is key to keeping your teeth healthy throughout your life. But it goes beyond that. Good oral health can impact your general health, as well. What is preventive dentistry, what are the benefits, and what kind of dental plan covers you for preventive care?
What is preventive dentistry?
Preventive dentistry is dental care that helps maintain good oral health. It’s a combination of regular dental check-ups along with developing good habits like brushing and flossing. Taking care of your teeth starts early in childhood and extends throughout your life.
What are common preventive dentistry services?
Preventive dentistry services may include:
- Regular oral exams, usually every 6 months
- Teeth cleaning
- Routine X-rays
Preventive dentistry for children:
As soon as a child gets their first tooth, preventive dental care can begin.2 Preventive dentistry for kids can help identify problems early on in your child’s life before dental problems become worse and often more costly. Services typically include the following:
- Promote good dental habits, including brushing and flossing, guidance on thumb sucking, as well as advice on eating habits that help improve dental health.
- Regular teeth cleanings and oral exams, usually every 6 months
- Fluoride application (usually up to a certain age)
- Sealants
- Routine X-rays to help track jaw and teeth development
- Fitting athletic mouth guards
- Referrals to orthodontists if teeth are crooked
- Referrals to other dental specialists as needed
Helping identify related health issues that may impact a child’s dental health
What are the benefits of preventive dentistry?
Regular preventive dental exams provide the following benefits to your oral health:
- Lowers your risk of developing tooth decay, gum disease, and more serious dental problems.
- Helps promote good oral hygiene habits, such as brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing.
- Early identification of dental problems may help minimize treatment and cost.
- Enables your dentist to do a full exam of your mouth, jaw, neck, etc. to identify any related problems.
- Helps reduce dental problems related to some chronic medical conditions. Diabetes, osteoporosis, certain cancers, and eating disorders can all affect dental and oral health.4 For people with chronic conditions, regular preventive dental care is an important part of the whole person’s health.
Contact Kiddie Dental Home:
Preventive dentistry is an important part of your health care. Review all dental plan materials to ensure your preventive care is covered. Kiddie Dental Home is always there to serve your every dental care need. call our clinic at 7559410583 or request an appointment online.