The Importance of Preventative Dentistry
Preventative dental services in Tampa can help prevent:
- Gum disease
- Dental decay
- Enamel wear
- TMJ disorder
- Tooth loss
- Some dental emergencies
Of course, daily brushing and flossing are a vital part of the equation, too. When you remove plaque every day, you reduce your risk of developing cavities and periodontal disease.
However, most people can’t clean their teeth perfectly, often due to dexterity issues. Sometimes, people just run out of time and occasionally forget to brush or floss. Because of this, some plaque can start to build up, eventually calcifying and turning into tartar, a substance that’s impossible to remove without professional help.
Thankfully, when you visit your Tampa dentist twice a year, our dental team can thoroughly remove the plaque and tartar build-up with their specialized tools. For most people, two visits a year is sufficient to maintain good oral health and reduce the risk of dental diseases.
What About Diagnostic Services?
Diagnostic and preventative dentistry go hand-in-hand. Diagnostic services like digital x-rays and regular examinations help your dentist monitor your oral health. They can closely monitor certain anomalies to make sure they don’t progress.
Additionally, if they do find an issue, it’s often found in the early stages because you see our dentist regularly. When problems are caught early on, the treatment required is typically minimal. For instance, your Tampa dentist can catch a cavity just starting and repair the tooth – sometimes without even needing anesthesia. As you can imagine, a minor filling is less expensive, time-consuming, and uncomfortable than the treatment you’d need once you have advanced decay and a toothache.
Often, you will receive diagnostic services at your preventative dental visits. How often you need an exam and x-rays depends on your dental needs.
