Do you brush and floss your teeth daily and see your dentist twice a year for professional examinations and cleanings? If you answered yes to this question, you’re practicing a form of preventive medicine known as preventive dentistry. Taking these small steps in promoting good oral health can go a long way towards preventing major dental problems down the road. Preventive dentistry can also help you save money by treating minor problems while they’re still affordable and before they become too expensive to repair. Let’s discuss some additional benefits about preventive dentistry, such as how it can help detect dental issues like gum disease before it reaches an advanced stage and leads to potential tooth loss.
It might surprise you to know that periodontal disease, commonly referred to as gum disease, is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults, according to research from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. This infection of the gum tissue surrounding your teeth is especially dangerous because it’s typically painless and produces no symptoms in its early stages. In fact, periodontal disease is known as a ‘silent tooth killer’ because you may not even know you have it until it reaches an advanced stage.
Prevention of gum disease and other dental problems begins with controlling the accumulation of calculus and plaque, which are the primary causes of gum disease. By visiting your dentist regularly and practicing good oral hygiene at home by brushing and flossing daily, gum disease can be detected in its earliest stage. When gum disease is caught early, its effects are still reversible, and they can be treated and eliminated through professional cleanings and treatment by your dentist.
