Preventative dental care is important for all patients, but those who live with a chronic health condition should consider regular dental visits even more often. Although many have heard this before, it is helpful to understand exactly why this is the case and what might take place during a visit for preventive dental care.
Preventive dental care and general health
Oral health and general health are often interrelated. Poor oral hygiene can not only affect teeth, gums, and the underlying jaw bone, but it can also have an impact on cardiovascular health, along with impacting other body systems, as well. The following is a review of why preventive dental care is important when dealing with chronic health conditions.
What is preventive dental care?
Preventive dental care refers to dental treatments that are performed to reduce the risk of oral health complications developing. It typically includes oral health examinations and services such as dental X-rays, oral cancer screenings, and other tests as necessary. Preventive dental care aims to improve oral health primarily, but it can indirectly benefit a person’s general health, as well. Many patients also find they are happier with the appearance of their smile through preventive dental care as well, although cosmetics are not a focus of preventive dental care.
The importance of preventive dental care
As mentioned, preventive dental care is designed to prevent oral health concerns from developing. However, patients should also consider preventive dental care to keep good health in general, as well. Oral health issues such as periodontal disease, tooth infections, and oral cancer can affect other conditions that are not directly related to oral health. Through routine checkups, dental cleanings, and other preventive dental services, patients with chronic conditions can reduce the risk of general health concerns in the long term.
What to expect during a routine dental checkup
A routine checkup is a key part of preventive dental care. During a routine checkup, the dentist asks questions about symptoms the patient experiences and previous medical and dental history, including those related to chronic conditions. Most dentists also conduct an oral examination and order dental X-rays to get a better sense of the patient’s oral health. An oral cancer screening may also be conducted during the visit. Lastly, the dentist (or dental hygienist) cleans the teeth to remove built-up plaque and tartar.
How dentists can treat oral health concerns
If oral health concerns are detected during a visit for preventive dental care, then the dentist may recommend one of several treatment options, depending on the specific concern. This may include dental fillings, fluoride treatment, antibiotics for oral infections or gum disease, and replacing missing teeth.
Schedule a visit for preventive dental care today
If you are interested in preventive dental care to reduce the risk of oral health concerns, then contact us today. We are glad to answer your questions, address concerns you may have, and schedule a time for you to come and see us for a consultation visit.
Are you considering preventive dental care in the Northridge area? Get more information at https://russikoffdentistry.com.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Preventative Dental Care in Northridge, CA.
Related Posts
Preventive dentistry deals with dental procedures to prevent dental issues, and it is critical for anybody who wants to keep their natural teeth for the rest of their life. Dentists used to spend most of their time treating dental issues rather than preventing them.Due to people's overly busy schedules, it is easy to put off…
Has the anatomy of your teeth ever crossed your mind, like what makes up the tooth and helps it perform its functions? A tooth consists of the enamel, cementum, dentin, root, and the pulp.When a tooth suffers trauma, especially to the enamel, it becomes prone to cavities, which may degenerate into a severe oral condition…
A regular dental cleaning is vital for maintaining optimal oral health. While many people understand the importance of these appointments, the specifics of what happens during dental cleanings may remain a bit mysterious.In this review, we discuss the procedure of a typical dental cleaning, providing insight into the process and highlighting its significance in preventive…
Dental cleaning is a huge part of routine check-ups. The procedure involves using a scaler to scrape off tartar and plaque deposits from teeth surfaces. Plaque is the sticky film that builds up on teeth, and it hardens into tartar when left on teeth surfaces for a few days. Both make you more vulnerable to…