An ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of restorative procedures. The old adage may not go exactly like that, but there’s truth behind the intent. It’s not hard to find reasons to keep dental appointments off your calendar. But minor to moderate preventive care early on in the calendar year can help you avoid needed more expensive restorative care later on in the year. Take a look at common preventive are procedures to learn how they can help you steer clear of serious, irreversible damage down the line.
Teeth Cleanings
It starts with food particles and bacteria that turn into plaque, which sticks onto teeth and then hardens into tartar. It continues with the accumulation of tartar on the teeth, down to the roots of teeth, the creation of bacterial pockets between the gums and the teeth. Left unchecked, this spiral of gum disease will continue to devolve until the gums recede and the teeth begin to fall out.
However, a standard dental cleaning, which entails scaling tartar from teeth, can prevent tartar from threatening the health and stability of your teeth and gums.
Fillings and Sealants
Left uncheck, crack and chips and cavities and soft spots can serve as an opening for gum disease and tooth decay. Dental fillings can protect compromised teeth against infection and stop the steady march of tooth decay, while sealants can be used similarly to fortified areas of teeth that have been weakened with cracks in them.
Bruxism (Grinding and Clenching of the Teeth)
Your daytime efforts to maintain your oral health could be undermined by your unconscious actions at night. Clenching and grinding while asleep, known as bruxism, wear down your teeth and shorten their life span. Something as simple as wearing a mouthguard every night could add years to the life of your teeth.
Talk with a dentist in Van Nuys, CA
Reserve an appointment with a local dentist in Van Nuys, CA to learn more about your options for preventive dental care.