Lots of children get tired of being asked, “Did you brush your teeth?” It becomes a redundant inquiry when you’re a little kid, but there’s a reason many parents stress the importance of toothbrushes and toothpaste at a young age—preventative dental care is an essential building block for an overall healthy body. With that said, it’s vital at all stages of people’s lives, not just when they’re kids.
What Does Preventative Care Actually Mean?
In dentistry, preventative care means keeping your teeth as protected and healthy as possible by way of:
- Brushing
- Flossing
- Using mouthwash
- Making regular appointments with your dentist at least twice a year
This is because it doesn’t take long for the food and drinks you consume to leave their mark on your tooth enamel. By definition, preventative care means preventing problems that could occur if you neglect your teeth and gums, but that doesn’t mean much if you don’t really understand the potential hazards that are lurking below the surface of your favorite foods.
Why is Preventative Dental Care Important?
The process works like this: leftover matter from food and drinks clings to your teeth, usually near the gum line where it has some space to hide from your toothbrush. Those particles produce bacteria, which eventually turns into plaque. When left untreated, plaque turns into tartar, which can cause a large variety of health problems including:
- Cavities
- Gingivitis
- Periodontitis
- Bleeding gums
- Loss of teeth
The longer oral health issues are ignored, the worse they can become. Preventative care not only protects your teeth from incurring damage and disease, but it allows dental health professionals to catch early signs of problems before they get out of hand, so they can get them under control. Oral health issues can result from genetics, bad habits, or unforeseen accidents, but the more attention you put into your day-to-day routines, the less likely you’ll be to suffer irreparable damage in the long run.
Are you searching for a dentist in Willowbrook, IL? Dentists of Hinsdale Lake is operated by a team of oral health professionals who put preventative care and patient comfort front and center. Schedule your initial appointment with us today!