Your teeth can last a lifetime with a little help.

At Bloomington Modern Dentistry, we are here to help you keep your natural teeth healthy and strong. Preventive dentistry is the best way to make sure that you can keep your natural teeth for a lifetime. With regular dental care and a good oral hygiene practice at home, your natural teeth will be healthy and look great.

What is preventive dentistry?

Preventive dentistry services are things like dental evaluations, regular cleanings, and X-rays. Fluoride treatments for kids and any sealants used on adult teeth are also considered to be preventive.  Anything that will help prevent problems with your teeth and spot existing problems before they become big problems can be considered preventive dentistry. Fillings can be considered preventive dentistry in some situations because filling a cavity will prevent further damage to the tooth and the eventual need for a root canal.

Preventive dentistry works in conjunction with the oral care routine that you practice daily at home. When you brush and floss twice a day and take care of your teeth at home, that really helps keep your teeth and gums healthy. Getting regular dental exams and cleanings in addition to having a thorough oral hygiene routine at home will make your teeth as healthy and strong as they can be.

Who needs preventive dentistry?

Everyone needs preventive dentistry because everyone needs teeth, and having your own natural teeth is always best if that’s possible. Kids need preventive dentistry to make sure that their teeth come in straight and grow strong. And moms and dads need preventive dentistry so that their teeth stay healthy as they get older. Moms, especially, need preventive dentistry since their teeth can become loose or shift during pregnancy. Anyone who has sleep apnea or TMJ also should be getting regular dental care to make sure their condition isn’t damaging their teeth.

What Preventative Dentistry Can Do to Protect You and Your Teeth

Getting regular dental exams and cleanings may seem unimportant, but they are critical for keeping your teeth healthy. Preventive dentistry prevents future dental problems by:

Preventing Tooth Decay (and Catching it Early)

Tooth decay is something that everyone who has teeth has to deal with. Plaque, the sticky film that coats your teeth, is filled with bacteria. The sticky plaque attaches to your teeth and allows that bacteria to start eating right through the layers of your tooth. First, plaque will burrow through the enamel of the tooth, but then it will keep going until it reaches the root. Tooth decay can be managed with twice daily brushing and regular dental cleanings. And if the dentist or hygienist sees a spot where a cavity is forming because of tooth decay, the dentist can fill that tooth quickly to prevent any further damage.

Preventing Gum Disease (and Catching it Early)

Gum disease affects nearly 50% of the adult population. When you have gum disease, your gums can become very sensitive, red, or inflamed. They may bleed when you brush your teeth. The gums can also be swollen and painful. Gum disease is caused by bacteria that naturally occurs in the mouth, getting into small pockets and abrasions in the gum that hold your teeth in place.

Untreated gum disease can lead to tooth loss and even more serious gum disease. But regular cleanings dramatically lower the amount of bacteria in your mouth that could potentially cause gum disease. And when you get regular dental cleanings, your hygienist will be looking for signs of gum disease. If there is any gum disease present, the dentist can talk to you about how to treat it before it becomes a serious problem.

Preventing Tooth Loss

Getting dental X-rays done on a regular basis gives your dentist the chance to see what’s going on with your teeth below the surface. Your dentist will be able to spot any potential loose teeth or other problems early so that they can treat and correct the problem before any tooth loss occurs. And if you do need to have a tooth extracted, your dentist will use preventive dentistry to minimize the damage and prevent any more tooth loss.

Oral Cancer Screening

Preventive dentistry also makes oral cancer screening easier. Your dentist will perform regular scans and checks to detect any signs of oral cancer as early as possible so that the cancer can be eradicated before it causes more serious problems.

Prevent Injury With a Mouthguard

If you or your kids play sports then you already know the importance of a dental mouthguard. A custom-fit dental mouth guard is the best way to make sure that you or your kids don’t end up with broken or missing teeth.

Bloomington Modern Dentistry is your partner in oral health.

At Bloomington Modern Dentistry, we understand that in today’s busy life, our oral health can seem like a less-than-urgent priority. This is why it’s even more important to find a dentist who can work with you for the best outcomes. Give us a call today to find out more about preventive dental care and make an appointment for a cleaning or an evaluation. It doesn’t matter if your last cleaning was last year or last decade, together we can keep your natural teeth as healthy as possible.