Prevention is the goal of every dental treatment, not just preventive care. For instance, if you have a damaged or infected tooth, then restoring it as soon as possible is necessary to prevent your tooth from suffering more damage. Nevertheless, preventive dental care is the backbone of a lifetime of good dental health. Along with a consistently good hygiene routine at home, preventive dentistry can help you avoid nearly any dental health issue that your smile might face, or deal with inevitable issues early to prevent more extensive concerns.
1. Clean your teeth obsessively.
Most dental health issues, especially the common ones like tooth decay and gum disease, can be traced back to ineffective dental hygiene measures. That’s because they’re mostly caused by excessive buildup of different kinds of oral bacteria in the form of plaque and tartar, and that’s why attending checkups and cleanings regularly are so important.
2. Treat your dentist’s suggestions like orders.
Your dentist is a nice person and doesn’t want to tell you how disappointed he is that you haven’t been cleaning your teeth obsessively. However, his suggestions to improve your hygiene routine should be considered direct doctor’s orders. As mentioned above, prevention is the most important aspect of keeping your smile healthy, and following your dentist’s advice is the best way to improve your preventive efforts.
3. Pay attention to how your bite feels.
Not all dental issues result from harmful plaque and tartar, and paying attention to any changes in how your bite feels and functions will make you more likely to notice such issues. For example, bruxism can cause you to grind your teeth incessantly, leading to severe tooth damage. TMJ disorder, which describes damaged or misaligned jaw joints, can make it increasingly harder to bite and chew comfortably.
Learn More About the Value of Preventive Dentistry
While preventive dentistry describes specific preventive measures, the goal of avoiding dental health trouble is the point of all dental treatments. To learn more, schedule a consultation by calling Lathrop Dental Center in Katy, TX at 832-437-3849. We proudly welcome patients and families from Katy, Fulshear, Weston Lakes, Simonton, Richmond, Rosenberg, Brookshire, Wallis, Orchard, Cypress, Sealy, Columbus, and all surrounding communities.
