The Importance of Preventative Maintenance in Dentistry

You take your car in for routine checkups, you go in for regular health checkups, but did you know your teeth need these checkups too? Preventative dentistry is a way that you can keep your teeth healthy by catching problems early and keeping larger problems from developing. 

What is Preventative Dentistry?

Preventative dentistry is the term that describes caring for your teeth to keep your smile healthy before problems arise. This can help you avoid common dental problems, like cavities, gum disease, enamel damage, and more. Preventative dentistry is an umbrella term that covers everything from how you brush and care or your teeth at home, to making sure you see your dentist often for cleanings. 

Preventative dentistry means you are taking charge of your oral health. Not only is this good for your smile, but it’s also good for your bank account. Studies have shown that for every dollar spent on preventative dental care, up to $50 can be saved in restorative and emergency treatments. 

UIC Dentistry reveals that access to preventative oral healthcare is particularly important for two reasons:

1. Many oral disease conditions are preventable with early treatment. For example, dental sealants in children can prevent 80% of cavities.
2. Preventative dental care practices, which includes early and routine checkups at the dentist, along with good at-home practices, can save families money down the road. 

Routine Checkups for Preventative Dentistry

No matter how healthy you are, everyone needs regular dental checkups. More often than not, there are areas hidden in your mouth that you cannot see with your own two eyes that have problems arising. When you see your dentist for a preventative routine checkup, this helps ensure that all aspects of your mouth are healthy — not just the parts you can see! 

What Does a Preventative Dentistry Checkup Include?

Most dental checkups will include a routine cleaning and exam. When this is done year after year, it becomes a preventative measure. You’re going to the dentist because you don’t want to spend more time in the chair later on, having procedures done that are much more time-consuming, painful, and expensive.

Health History

The first part of your visit with us will include telling us about your medical history. Before we can perform any sort of dental treatments, we will need to know your medical history. If this is your first appointment, or even if it’s just been a while, it’s important to share any changes in your health. Things like new medications or conditions like diabetes, arthritis, or pregnancy, are all important to note. Your oral health is intertwined with the rest of your body, meaning that experiencing one thing – like pregnancy – can affect your mouth, believe it or not! 

Cleaning

One of the most important aspects of your routine visit is your cleaning. We will deep clean your teeth, gums, and entire mouth. If any signs of gum disease were established, a deeper cleaning of the gums might be needed. You should have a dental cleaning done at least once every six months to keep your mouth healthy.

Exam

At Stonebrook Family Dental, we have the newest technology and equipment, which allows us to examine your mouth with speed, comfort, and accuracy. Digital X-rays with our handheld X-ray device are much faster and comfortable than their traditional counterparts. They also help provide a more accurate diagnosis, all with up to 90% less radiation exposure. These X-rays help us see what’s hiding below the surface, seeing the tooth roots, gum line, and jaw bones. Taking a deeper look at these areas can really help catch any potential problems hiding out early on. 

Our intraoral camera also lets you as the patient see what we see while we’re looking at your mouth. You’ll be able to see any problem areas and thoroughly discuss your oral health concerns with our team. Here, you’re now an active participant in your dental exam. 

Once your exam is complete, Dr. Varley will review and look for further signs of decay, gum swelling, redness, jaw joint issues, and signs of infection or cancer. While oral cancer is extremely rare, it can progress quickly and be deadly, which is why early detection is key. 

Diagnosis and Treatment

At the end of your visit, Dr. Varley will talk with you about your diagnosis and what his recommended treatment plan is. Sometimes, all that is needed is to follow up in six months with your next routine checkup, however, if problems were found, you might need to come back sooner. 

Call Dr. Varley

Dr. Varley has many years of dental experience and is here to help you achieve optimal oral health. Conveniently located in Aurora, Colorado and serving the surrounding areas, we’re here for you! Call us today for an appointment at (303)-872-7907.