Preventative Dentistry in Napa CA: What Is Preventative Dentistry?

Preventative dental care is essential to keeping your teeth and gums healthy throughout your life. Just like maintaining a healthy diet and regularly exercising, good oral health can improve your general health, too. In fact, studies from the American Dental Association (ADA) show just how crucial preventative dental care is for the overall health of an individual.

What Is Preventative Dentistry?

Preventative dentistry is the dental care of your teeth that helps maintain good oral health. It is a combination of several different factors, such as:

• Regular dental visits
• Teeth cleanings
• Daily brushing
• Avoiding smoking or chewing tobacco
• Good oral hygiene habits

These practices can help you take good care of your teeth throughout the course of your life. Preventive dentistry is essential in maintaining your dental health because it allows early detection of issues before they worsen. For example, early detection of gingivitis before it progresses into periodontal disease. Even though they may not seem like big concerns, if left untreated, bacteria and disease can run rampant, leading to pain and possibly permanent damage to your teeth and mouth.

So, what sort of dental services do you need to create a healthy smile?

Common Preventive Dentistry Services

Scheduling routine and regular preventative dentistry services is just as important as yearly physicals to help maintain good overall health. In fact, the American Dental Association acknowledges how vital these services are to preventing tooth decay, protecting tooth enamel, and maintaining optimal oral health. If you visit your Napa dentist regularly, these are the preventative services that are often provided:

1. Regular Teeth Cleanings

Regular teeth cleanings are the key to preventive dentistry. If left unchecked, plaque and tarter would build up around your teeth, weaken the enamel, cause bad breath, and diminish your overall oral health and the appearance of your smile. Depending on the person and their specific needs, teeth cleanings should typically occur 2-4 times per year.

2. Routine X-Rays

X-rays allow your Napa dentist to see through the tissue in your mouth to get a comprehensive understanding of the health of your teeth and jawbone. They can reveal early warning signs of dental problems, oral diseases, and other health conditions.

3. Oral Exams Every Six Months

Regular oral exams provide an opportunity to get all the tarter, bacteria, and plaque deep cleaned out of your mouth. Additionally, dentists and dental hygienists check your teeth, gums, jaw, and overall mouth. They can analyze any issues and check for tooth sensitivity, oral and neck cancer, tooth decay, or gum disease.

Ways to Take Care of Your Teeth

Here is a list of examples of good habits that can help fend off disease and lead to a healthy mouth.

• Limit sugary beverages and acidic foods to avoid enamel erosion.
• Brush your teeth twice a day with a soft-bristled brush and toothpaste.
• Floss your teeth daily to remove food particles in between your teeth before they develop into plaque buildup.
• Be considerate when chewing on hard candies, bones, or seeds so you don’t break a tooth.
• Limit the use of tobacco since it can lead to oral cancer, gum disease, tooth decay, and stained teeth.
• If you grind your teeth at night, ask your dentist about getting a mouth guard to reduce pain and damage.

All of these are great ways to protect your teeth and maintain a healthy smile. Combining good habits with regular professional teeth cleanings should be the standard in your dental plan.

Benefits of Preventative Dentistry

Of course, keeping your teeth clean and healthy by brushing regularly is something we’re told from a very young age. But what can happen if we don’t take additional preventative measures? Neglecting your preventative dental care can result in:

• Gum disease
• Tooth decay and cavities
• Bad breath
• Complicated dental procedures

All of these are valid reasons to keep up with regular dental cleanings and exams. But there are other benefits, too. When you have a healthy mouth, you’re also more likely to:

• Have improved overall health
• Boost your self-esteem
• Eat and speak properly

Preventive Dentistry in Napa CA

Cosmetic Dentistry of Napa can help you safeguard your smile with our preventative dental services. Schedule an appointment with Cosmetic Dentistry of Napa to start seeing the advantages of preventive dental care by calling 707-257-7771 or by conveniently filling out our online contact form.