What You Should Know About Preventive Dental Care

The more diligently you maintain your teeth, the healthier and stronger they will be when you get older. This is why it’s important to stay on top of your dental care, especially when it comes to brushing, flossing, and regular dental visits. Having a reliable dentist check up on your teeth and gums can help you prevent painful gum infections and lost teeth. 

Dr. Margaret Culotta-Norton provides a variety of dental services to her patients in Washington, DC. This includes everything from emergency care and family dentistry, to routine teeth cleanings and fluoride treatments. If it’s been a while since your last visit to the dentist, you shouldn’t wait until something is wrong to get a checkup. Regular cleanings and examinations are just as important as at-home dental care. 

What is preventive dentistry? 

Preventative dentistry refers to any dental care used to maintain your teeth. Proper dental care can help you prevent cavities, gum disease, and enamel loss. 

Along with brushing and flossing, preventive dentistry can involve in-office procedures, such as: 

• Thorough cleanings
• Fluoride treatments 
• Regular examinations 
• Dental sealants 

All of these procedures require the help of a dental professional, which is why it’s important to establish a history with your dentist. When your dentist has a record of your dental health and previous issues, they can help identify potential problems and give you more thorough care. 

The benefits of preventive dental care 

Taking thorough care of your teeth has a number of benefits, including: 

• Whiter, stronger teeth 
• Healthier gums 
• Less chance of cavities and gingivitis 
• Less chance of tooth loss later in life 
• Improved overall health 

If you want healthy teeth as you age, regular preventive care can help by reducing the risk of bone loss prevention through early detection and treatment for gum disease. Gum disease is the most common cause of tooth loss among adults. 

The loss of only one tooth triggers a cascade of failure. The teeth on either side of the gap start sliding into the empty space, and their roots loosen. The bone underneath the empty socket begins to dissolve because there is no tooth root to stimulate healthy bone. 

The result is that teeth fall out on either side of the missing tooth, and the pattern continues until you’re rendered completely toothless (edentulous) in that arch of teeth. Your jawbone is affected, your other arch of teeth becomes unstable, you no longer have a secure bite, and restorative care may be needed. 

If you’re looking to improve your oral health, or it’s been a while since you saw a dentist, Dr. Culotta-Norton can help. To get in touch and learn more about the benefits of preventive dentistry, call 202-833-1111, or request an appointment online.