Understanding the Importance of General Dentistry

Do you want to keep your teeth healthy and avoid expensive dental treatments? If so, general dentistry is the answer. General dentistry, also known as preventive dentistry, is a specialized area of dental care that focuses on preventing the development of dental diseases and conditions before they occur. By taking the necessary steps to maintain good oral hygiene, you can prevent tooth decay, gum disease, and many other dental problems.

And when you consider poor oral health can contribute to heart disease, stroke, dementia, pregnancy complications, infections like pneumonia, and more, preventive dental services can also improve your overall health.

The good news is that preventive dentistry is something you and your dentist can do together to help ensure your good oral health. So what does preventive dental care involve? Penn Dental Medicine at PHMC on Cedar explains.

10 Ways to Practice Preventive Dentistry

Taking good care of your teeth is an important part of maintaining your overall health, and practicing preventive dentistry is the best way to do that. These 10 ways to practice preventive dental care will keep you smiling:

1. Brush at least twice a day with fluoridated toothpaste for two minutes each time. This recommendation from the American Dental Association (ADA) is one of the most important steps you can take when it comes to preventive dentistry. Brushing your teeth helps remove plaque, bacteria, and food particles before they can cause damage.
2. Floss daily. Flossing removes food particles and plaque that brushing can miss, keeping your gums healthy. Just one minute of flossing can make a huge difference when it comes to preventive dentistry. Flossing also has other benefits beyond dental health. Studies have shown that regular flossers have less inflammation in the bloodstream, which can lead to improved overall health.
3. Use mouthwash. Mouthwash can help reduce plaque buildup, tooth decay, and gingivitis, and freshen your breath.
4. Get a fluoride treatment. Fluoride treatment is one of the most essential preventative dental treatments available today. Fluoride fortifies and strengthens your teeth, making them more resistant to tooth decay and reducing the risk of cavities by up to 60%.
5. Eat a healthy, balanced diet and avoid sugary snacks and drinks. Eating the right foods can provide your body with the vitamins and minerals needed for good oral health. Foods and beverages high in sugar contribute to cavities and other dental problems.
6. Use dental sealants. Sealants are applied to the surfaces of molars to seal off the grooves and pits on the surface of your teeth where food particles get stuck, leading to cavities.
7. Wear a night guard if you grind or clench your teeth. Grinding your teeth can cause headaches, sore jaws, chipped or worn-down teeth, temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ), and gum inflammation. Wearing a night guard will help prevent damage overnight.
8. Wear a sports mouthguard if you play contact sports. This can help prevent damage to your teeth and tooth loss during practice and games.
9. Don’t smoke or use tobacco products. This can cause oral cancer, gum disease, bad breath, discolored teeth, and also cause heart disease and stroke.
10. Visit your Penn Dental Medicine Cedar Campus dentist. Regular dental checkups allow your dentist to detect any potential issues or oral diseases in their early stages and provide professional teeth cleaning treatments that are not possible at home. Early detection of dental problems can save you from costly and invasive procedures down the line. Additionally, your dentist will check for any signs of oral cancer so that treatment can start promptly if it’s discovered.

Take Charge of Your Dental Health

From brushing and flossing to avoiding tobacco products, there are many things on our list of 10 practices that you can easily do yourself to support good dental health. When combined with the preventive services your dentist provides, it’s a win-win combination: you and your dentist are taking the right steps to maintain your good oral health and prevent dental problems before they become serious.

However, although regular checkups are important, some people may put off going to the dentist because they’re afraid they might not be able to afford the visit. At Penn Dental Medicine Cedar Campus, we make sure that doesn’t happen to you.

Get Affordable Access to the Highest Quality Dental Care

At PDM at PHMC on Cedar, you get access to the region’s top dentists at affordable prices because of our unique student dental clinic care model: senior student dentists and Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) residents practice and develop their skills under the instruction and guidance of the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine’s award-winning faculty. These services are often 50% to 70% less than what other dental providers charge.

Practicing preventive dentistry is key to having a healthy mouth now and in the future! Let us help you get started by scheduling an appointment to come in and see us. Just call 855-887-9229 or complete this form today.