Why is Prevention Important? The Mount Prospect Family Dentist Explains the Benefits

It’s well known that taking proper care of your teeth will provide a lifetime of oral health. Unfortunately, though, prevention through good oral health practices is often not a priority for many people. The Mount Prospect Family Dentist understands the importance of prevention and offers reasons why proper preventive care for our teeth is essential.

Routine Dental Checkups

No less important than professional teeth cleaning is a comprehensive dental exam. This enables your dentist to identify any underlying issues and address them before they become painful and costly to treat.

Professional Dental Cleanings

Food and beverages that are consumed during the day stick to the surfaces of our teeth. This creates the substance we know as plaque. Since plaque buildup is not obvious, you may not even be aware of the presence of these bacteria until you have a dental problem. Scheduling professional cleanings twice a year is critical to monitoring plaque buildup so action can be taken.

Personal Oral Hygiene

If you’re not sure which products will be most effective for maintaining your daily oral health, your dental hygienist will be happy to guide you in selecting the proper oral health products. Diligent at-home oral hygiene is one of the most effective and least expensive ways to maintain healthy teeth and gums.

Application of Fluoride

Fluoride is important for keeping teeth healthy and strong. It is available through topical applications by our dentist as well as toothpaste and mouth rinses. Another great source of fluoride is non-bottled drinking water.

Dental Sealants Protect Teeth

Dental sealants are used to fill in tiny crevices on the chewing surfaces of back teeth. Children especially benefit from the application of sealants used to protect their permanent teeth.

Athletic Mouth Guards for Protection

Participating in activities where teeth or soft mouth tissue are at risk should always include wearing a mouthguard. A mouthguard can be custom-crafted by the Mount Prospect Family Dentist to provide a perfect fit and effective protection for your teeth. Patients who suffer from teeth grinding (bruxism) can also benefit from wearing a mouthguard.

Call our office to arrange your semi-annual dental cleaning and examination. Your teeth are an irreplaceable asset, so make sure you protect them with proper care.