Prevention is the key to maintaining a healthy smile at every age. This is why our dentists recommend regular dental exams, x-rays, and dental cleanings in Barrie, ON.
Just as you have a physical with your medical doctor to stay ahead of potential body health issues, you should also stay ahead of the curve when it comes to your oral health with regular dental exams in Barrie, ON.
At Park Place Dental, we understand that no two smiles are the same, which is why we tailor our preventative treatments to your individual oral health needs.
Let’s look at a few reasons why preventative dentistry is so important.
Dental Cleanings May Lower Your Risk for Future Dental Problems
When you have regular professional teeth cleanings in our dental office, you could be lowering your risk for future dental problems, including:
- Periodontal disease — During the early stages of gum disease, you won’t notice any discomfort, but a dental hygienist can spot the signs. Professional cleanings can remove plaque and tartar, reducing inflammation.
- Cavities — Preventative dental visits make it possible to identify tooth decay early, sometimes even before a cavity forms. Then, we can recommend treatment options such as fluoride treatments or sealants.
- Dental emergencies — Many dental emergencies occur as a result of untreated issues. Visiting our dental office every six months enables us to identify infections or tooth damage before they require urgent care.
- Root infections — When you visit us for preventative care, we can perform oral examinations and take x-rays to detect decay or cracks before they reach your tooth’s roots. This may help you avoid a root canal or extraction.
- Bad breath — Regular bad breath can be a sign of decay or gum disease; regular dental cleanings remove the odour-causing bacteria and give us the chance to identify the root cause.
- Stains and discoloration — Routine dental cleanings are designed to eliminate surface stains caused by red wine, coffee, tea, and tobacco, keeping your smile whiter and brighter.
Regular Dental Exams May Save You Money Later
When you visit your dentist regularly and keep scheduled appointments, it allows our dentist to spot emerging dental issues before they become costly problems, both in terms of time and money.
Here’s how treatment now can save you money later:
- Cavities — A small cavity detected during a routine exam can often be treated with a simple, relatively inexpensive filling. Left unchecked, that small cavity can grow, requiring a more expensive and invasive procedure like a root canal, and potentially even a dental crown if the tooth structure is severely compromised. The cost difference between a filling and a root canal/crown can be hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars.
- Gum disease — The early stage of gum disease, gingivitis, is reversible with a professional dental cleaning and improved hygiene at home. However, once it progresses to the next stage, gum disease treatment gets much more expensive and complex. Scaling and root planing, medication, and gum surgery may be necessary, so it’s best to treat gum disease before it becomes a more significant issue.
- Tooth loss — You only get one set of teeth, and routine preventative care is the best way to preserve them for a lifetime. Once you lose one or more teeth, replacing them can be expensive and require multiple dental visits. Why not protect your teeth now and avoid the need for dental implants, bridges, or dentures later?
Preventative Dentistry Plays a Role in Your Overall Health
Ongoing dental infections, even when you don’t feel pain, can spread to the periodontal ligaments and the rest of the body.
Studies from the Mayo Clinic have linked periodontal disease to the following health issues:
- Cardiovascular disease — Heart disease and clogged arteries may be linked to oral inflammation.
- Stroke — The inflammation associated with periodontal disease can contribute to blood clots and hardening of the arteries, leading to stroke.
- Diabetes — If you have diabetes, your body is less able to fight infection, making you more susceptible to gum disease. Once you have gum disease, you may have more difficulty regulating your blood sugar levels.
- Pregnancy complications — Low birth weight and premature birth have been linked to periodontal disease.
- Certain cancers — Numerous cancers have been linked to periodontal disease, so keeping your gums healthy can reduce your risk.
Keep Your Smile Healthy with Prevention in Barrie, ON
If you haven’t been to the dentist in a while, or if it’s been a long time since you’ve had a professional cleaning in Barrie, ON, we invite you to contact us to schedule your next dental exam.
