At Bridge Street, Dental Surgery, preventative dentistry is at the heart of what we do. We believe that it’s the key to helping our patients keep their natural teeth for life, reducing their risk of dental disease and decay, and reducing the need for invasive and expensive dental procedures.
Preventative dentistry involves a combination of good oral hygiene practices at home and regular dental examinations and teeth cleanings. Here are just a few of the reasons why we believe so strongly in the ethos of prevention over cure:
Keep tooth decay and gum disease at bay
Regular visits to your friendly dentist in Tadcaster will help to prevent tooth decay and gum disease, which are two of the most common dental problems. Tooth decay is caused by a buildup of plaque on the teeth, which produces acids that erode the tooth enamel. If left untreated, tooth decay can lead to cavities and eventually tooth loss.
Gum disease, on the other hand, is caused by the buildup of bacteria in the gums, which can cause inflammation and eventually lead to tooth loss. Regular brushing, flossing, and dental cleanings can help to remove plaque and bacteria from the teeth and gums, preventing these problems from occurring.
During your examinations and hygiene appointments, we will check for all the signs of these issues, and advise the best treatment plan to get your oral health back on track.
Early diagnosis means timely treatment
Regular dental check-ups allow us to detect problems early before they become more serious and require more extensive treatment. For example, a small cavity can be filled before it turns into a larger cavity that requires a root canal or even tooth extraction.
Regular dental check-ups can also detect other dental problems such as gum disease, oral cancer, and Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ), allowing for early intervention and treatment.
Save money in the long run
Although routine examinations and hygiene appointments might feel like an unwelcome expense, they’ll save you money in the long run. Why? Because preventative dentistry helps to prevent dental problems from occurring or means we can detect them early when they are easier and less expensive to treat.
Oral health affects your general health
Good oral health isn’t just about maintaining a healthy mouth and a beautiful smile, but it’s also linked to your overall health. Poor oral health has been linked to a variety of health problems such as heart disease, diabetes, respiratory infections, and even dementia.
By keeping up with your preventative dentistry, you’re helping to maintain good oral health, which can in turn improve your overall health and wellbeing.
Get a beautiful smile
Whilst cosmetic dentistry is an effective way of elevating the appearance of your smile, consistent preventative dentistry is the most natural way to keep your smile feeling healthy and looking beautiful.
Regular dental cleanings can remove surface stains from the teeth, improving the appearance of the smile. Additionally, regular dental check-ups can detect dental problems that can affect the appearance of the smile, such as crooked teeth or gaps between the teeth.
Care for your teeth at home
A thorough preventative dental routine incorporates good oral hygiene habits like regular brushing and flossing. By making these habits a part of your routine, you can maintain good oral health and prevent dental problems from occurring.
Start early!
At Bridge Street Dental Surgery, we always advise you to bring your children to your dentist in Tadcaster and see us as soon as their first teeth emerge - that’s because preventative dentistry is especially important for children.
By starting good oral hygiene habits at a young age, children can maintain good oral health throughout their lives. Regular dental check-ups can also help to detect dental problems early, allowing for early intervention and treatment.
How else can you protect your teeth?
In addition to regular dental check-ups and cleanings, several other preventative measures can be taken to maintain good oral health. These include:
Brushing teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste
Flossing daily to remove plaque and food particles from between the teeth
Using mouthwash to kill bacteria and freshen breath
Limiting sugary and acidic foods and drinks
Wearing a mouthguard during sports and other activities that pose a risk of dental injury
Visit your local dentist in Tadcaster
If reading this has inspired you to get your oral health back on track with preventative dentistry, it could be time to book your next dental examination and hygiene appointment!
Get in touch with our friendly team to get something in the diary.
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