Preventive Dental Care: Fight Cavities and Gum Disease Before they Start

When it comes to the health of your teeth and gums, it’s far better to spend time focused on prevention rather than restoration. Many of the dental problems we see every day could have been prevented with a few simple steps. This is why we make preventive dental services a priority at our Plantation, FL area practice. With a combination of at home oral hygiene and preventive dental services, we can avoid many common problems such as gum disease and cavities, and at the very least, we can discover them before they become bigger issues.

The two most common dental problems that are preventable are cavities and gum disease.

Cavities

Cavities start as tiny areas of enamel erosion that are nearly impossible for most people to detect. The problem is that this erosion will begin to form a cavity in the surface of the tooth. While this is generally not painful, patients may begin to notice temperature sensitivity. If the cavity is not treated, the erosion will continue to progress and damage the inner portion of the tooth all the way down to the dental pulp where the connective tissue, blood supply, and nerves are located. At this point, many patients experience infection along with severe pain.

Gum Disease

Gum disease is a common type of oral infection that begins around the gum line due to plaque accumulation. In its earliest stage, gingivitis, gum disease can be treated with a thorough deep cleaning and improvement in oral hygiene. Unfortunately, many of the patients who develop gingivitis are unaware, so the disease continues to progress. As infection spreads, the gums become more inflamed, the tissue begins to pull away from the teeth and form pockets, and the bone tissue is left susceptible. Without treatment, the effects of advanced gum disease cause irreversible damage and can lead to tooth loss.

At Whole Life Dentistry, we understand that there might be a lot of stress and anxiety that comes with dental visits, which is why we make sure our environment is welcoming and relaxing. By making preventive dentistry services a priority, we can help ensure your teeth and gums stay healthy for a very long time.

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