Your general health relies on your dental health. If you fail to take proper care of your health, you raise not only your risk of oral health issues but also complications like diabetes. Oral hygiene is the simplest way to ensure healthy teeth and gums.
While oral hygiene measures like brushing twice daily and flossing everyday help, you require professional assistance for better outcomes. This professional assistance is what renders preventive dentistry so crucial. If you are wondering what preventative dentistry Bergen County services your general dentist can provide, continue reading to learn more.
1. Teeth Cleanings
You can remove plaque at home by flossing and brushing your teeth every day. However, only a dentist can remove tartar. For this reason, it is crucial to see your dentist every six months for thorough teeth cleaning.
2. Oral Examinations
During your visit, your dentist may obtain X-rays to examine your jawbones and other underlying oral structures. As such, your specialist can identify minor concerns before they can compromise your dental health. For instance, the dentist can spot an impacted wisdom tooth that requires extraction before they crowd the other teeth in a teenage patient.
Likewise, your specialist may notice indications of bone loss in the jaw if the patient has several missing teeth. Moreover, you can ask your dentist any questions regarding your oral hygiene during your oral exam.
3. Dental Sealants
A dental sealant is an invisible plastic coating that your dentist paints on the chewing surfaces of the molars. Although dentists generally suggest dental sealants for kids, this procedure has no age limitations. Therefore, irrespective of age, if you require additional protection from cavities, your dentist will gladly provide dental sealants.
4. Oral Cancer Screenings
Many individuals in America get diagnosed with oral cancer every year. As such, you cannot afford not to undergo an oral cancer screening during your routine appointment.
Certain factors heighten your risk of oral cancer, including alcohol overconsumption, family history of cancer, smoking, human papillomavirus, and excessive sunlight exposure on the lips. Nonetheless, even without these risk factors, you might still develop oral cancer at some point in life. A routine oral cancer screening goes a long way in helping you identify the issue early on.
5. Sports Mouth Guards
Do you participate in a contact sport like American football, boxing, or football? If so, it is crucial to request your dentist for a custom mouthguard. Unlike generic mouthguards available at sporting goods stores, a custom guard provides the ultimate level of protection. These custom-made sports mouthguards fit the unique contours of your gums and teeth, and can effectively cushion any impact if you sustain facial trauma. Therefore, you avoid dental emergencies caused by dental trauma, such as loose and missing teeth and tooth chippings or fractures.
Your oral health significantly impacts your self-confidence levels. Preventive dental care is vital to having an attractive smile and oral health. From regular visits to your dentist for teeth cleanings and oral exams to dental sealants and oral cancer screenings, there are numerous preventative dentistry measures to explore. Not only is preventive care crucial to your long-term health, but it could also save you a lot of time and money overall. Talk to your provider about your unique concerns to help develop a personalized preventive dentistry care plan.