Here’s Why Preventive Dentistry Is So Important for the Entire Family

Good oral health is something we should be aware of. Our oral health affects our ability to speak, eat, and smile. But healthy teeth and gums won’t just happen on their own. To have a healthy smile that you can be proud of, you need to practice a good oral care routine at home and make sure you visit your dentist regularly for preventive care. But, unfortunately, not everyone prioritizes their oral health, and failure to do so can have many negative consequences.

Don’t forgo preventive dentistry care for you and your family. 

Regular dental checks from your family dentist in Wasilla, AK, can be a game changer when it comes to the health of your teeth and gums. At your dental check-up, your dentist will take X-rays for dental imaging, conduct an oral cancer screening, assess your teeth for tooth decay and gum disease, evaluate your bite, and identify any malocclusions. Your dentist will also be able to identify early issues in your children’s teeth and can provide you with guidance on how to care for your mouth better.  

Yet, as we mentioned earlier, many people wait too long to visit their dentist, or they don’t go at all. An estimated one-third (36%) of Americans do not visit the dentist at least once a year. About one-fourth of Americans go once yearly, and only 31% go twice yearly. And, unfortunately, one of the biggest reasons people don’t go to the dentist is cost. Sometimes, patients think they have good teeth and don’t need professional care. 

While there are occasionally genetic predispositions for good oral health, even the most excellent at-home oral care routine is not enough to prevent cavities for the long term. Seeing a dentist regularly means that cavities will be detected when they’re small and gum disease will be caught while it’s still reversible. So remember that concern about cost? Going to the dentist every six months for a professional dental cleaning and oral examination can save you money compared with. waiting for a more serious dental issue to develop.

Here are the primary reasons why Americans skip out on going to the dentist regularly:

• Too expensive.
• Dental anxiety (fear of going to the dentist).
• Genetic predisposition to good teeth.
• An excellent at-home oral care routine is in place.
• No underlying health conditions.
• Straight teeth.
• Mistakenly believing that good teeth mean a trip to the dentist for preventive dentistry is unnecessary. 

The importance of professional dental cleanings. 

Ultimately, regular dental check-ups are the best type of dental insurance you can buy. During your preventive dentistry care examination by your family dentist in Wasilla, AK, we will examine your gums, teeth, and all sections of your mouth for periodontal disease, tooth decay, oral cancer, and more. We’ll also discuss best practices for your home routine with you and provide recommendations for any necessary dental treatments.

Preventive dentistry can save you time, money, and your overall health. During your dental cleaning, we will remove the plaque from your teeth and take the necessary steps to help you prevent tooth decay and gum disease and avoid tooth loss. So, if you have a family member who is reluctant to visit the dentist, be sure to talk to them about the many benefits of a dental cleaning:

• It brightens your smile.
• It prevents cavities.
• Bad breath is controlled, if not eliminated. 
• It prevents tooth loss.
• It boosts your overall health.
• It saves you money in the long run.

And if you have a child with dental anxiety, or you are an adult with dental anxiety, you should know that we can help make your appointment and dental experience as comfortable as possible. We also encourage kids to bring a favorite blankie or stuffie to their appointment to help them feel safe. Parents should talk to their kids in advance about what to expect at their appointment. Fewer surprises means a smoother visit. And remember, the more your child visits the dentist, the more familiar it will become.

Visit Valley Dental Clinic for critical preventive dental care.

The team at Valley Dental Clinic specializes in dental care for kids, teens, and adults. This means that we have the skills, expertise, and chairside manner to support you and everyone in your family. So, whether you need a dentist for kids or you are overdue for a cleaning, we can help. Contact us today to schedule an appointment. Don’t delay preventive dental care. Your smile, oral health, and overall health will thank you.