If you want to have a healthy and bright smile, you need to be consistent with your oral care routine. An essential part of a good oral care routine is preventative dentistry. The reality is that no matter how much or how well you brush there will be things that you miss. Everyone is at risk for plaque, tartar, stains and cavities because our teeth are constantly exposed to bacteria and substances that can cause discoloration. In the long-term, preventative dentistry will help you stay ahead of problems, prevent pain, prevent tooth loss, and protect your health.

Stay ahead of problems

Preventative dentistry will help you stay ahead of problems with your oral health. When you go in for a cleaning, the plaque and tartar that have built up on your teeth is removed. This helps prevent gum disease, discoloration, and decay. During your preventative dentistry appointments your dentist can catch cavities that are small – sometimes before you ever experience any pain. The treatment for cavities when they are small is much less invasive then waiting until they grow worse. The condition of your gums will also be assessed during your preventative appointments. Gum disease can be painful and lead to serious issues like receding gums and eventually tooth loss. If any issues with your gums are discovered during your preventative appointments your dentist can provide you with simple treatment recommendations.

Prevent pain

Preventative dentistry can save you from a lot of pain in the long-run. You can experience pain in your teeth from cavities, infections, and gum disease. Each one of these factors can typically be prevented or discovered early on with routine dental checkups. Preventative dentistry can help you keep your teeth and gums healthy which will help prevent pain.

Prevent tooth loss

Tooth loss is a serious potential side effect of skipping out on preventative dental care. Factors that lead to tooth loss, such as decay and gum disease, can be caught and treated during your preventative dental appointments. There are a number of excellent tooth replacement options available but the best option is to take excellent care of your natural teeth so you can keep them as long as possible.

Protect your health

Neglecting the health of your teeth and gums can lead to other health issues. Getting the preventative dental care you need is a way to protect your oral and physical health. Serious health problems such as heart disease and diabetes have been linked to poor oral health. Committing to maintaining your oral health is an important part of being committed to caring for your physical health.

The long-term benefits of going to regular preventative dentistry appointments cannot be emphasized enough. The small amount of time it takes to go to these appointments will help you stay ahead of serious dental problems, avoid pain, avoid tooth loss, and protect your health.