The Importance Of Preventive Care

The Importance Of Preventive Care

If you haven’t had your teeth and gums checked in a while, now is the right time to see Dr. R. Scott Langdon, a family dentist in preventative dentistryMooresville, NC, for preventative care. Preventative dentistry is crucial to helping patients avoid tooth loss and preserve the overall health of their smiles. Learn about the various preventative treatments and procedures available at Dr. Langdon’s dental practice.

Definition of Preventative Care
The idea behind preventative dental care is keeping your teeth clean, strong and continually protected from potential damage. The goal is to avoid dental infections, abscesses, gum disease and other conditions that put your teeth and gums in jeopardy. Many of the most common dental ailments can be avoided by committing to a few daily oral care habits, taking advice from your dentist and coming into the dentist’s office for preventative treatments.

Why It’s Important
Dental patients have a number of motivations for taking care of their oral health. They might want to prevent bad breath, or have a nice-looking smile. But one of the top motivators is keeping their original teeth. American adults between the ages of 20 and 64 have an average of about 25 teeth left according to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. According to the same data, 10 percent of Americans ages 50-64 have lost all of their teeth. This can be avoided with preventative care and regular appointments with your Mooresville family dentist.

Preventative Treatments to Consider
Just the act of visiting your dentist twice per year is a preventative measure. Here are a few treatments that your dentist may recommend to protect your teeth and gums:

- regular and deep cleanings (surfaces and between the teeth)
- scaling and root planing (for patients at risk of gum disease)
- dental sealants to prevent cavities
- crowns (to secure weak or broken teeth)
- mouth/night guards to prevent clenching and grinding
- orthodontic treatment for TMJ and bite problems

Your Teeth Are Important
You should seek preventative care if you’re committed to maintaining good dental and oral health for a lifetime. Call Dr. Langdon, a family dentist in Mooresville, NC, at (704) 664-1188 today to schedule a checkup.