Preventive Dentistry
A healthy, happy smile you’re proud of is one of your best assets! Preventive dentistry is the cornerstone of our dental practice because it helps us protect your beautiful, healthy smile and dental health. With routine preventive teeth cleanings and checkups every six months, we can identify problematic conditions early before they become more complicated to treat.
Being proactive about your dental health can actually save you time, stress, and money! When our dentists spot problems early on, you can treat them with less invasive and less costly procedures, which is always our goal for our patients.
The Irrefutable Benefits of Preventive Dentistry
Patients often wonder why they need to see their dentist twice per year. Here are some of the advantages excellent dental health provides:
- Protects your overall health: Periodontal (gum) health is closely linked with other non-dental systemic conditions like heart disease and diabetes.
- Guards against dental emergencies: Treating dental problems early on can help you avoid uncomfortable and costly tooth emergencies.
- Safeguards your budget: Maintaining dental health means fewer problems arise and less money out of your pocket to treat them.
- Improves confidence: When you have a healthy and beautiful smile, you can feel comfortable and confident eating the foods you enjoy and sharing your smile with others.
How Periodontal Health and Overall Health Are Linked
Body systems are connected, and science has found clear links between gum health and overall health. When you have gum disease, you are more likely to develop other systemic health concerns, and vice versa, since bacteria-causing inflammation travels through the bloodstream.
Some of the chronic health issues linked to gum disease are:
- Cardiovascular disease
- Diabetes
- Dementia
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Stroke
- High blood pressure
We’ve also seen connections with gum disease and complications during pregnancy, including low birth weight in babies.
Preventive dental care at Thurmont Family Dentistry is one of your best defenses against problems like gum disease, tooth decay, and cavities.
What Happens During Your Preventive Appointment at Thurmont Family Dentistry?
During your preventive dental appointment, you can expect a comfortable teeth cleaning with our hygienist, who will remove the excess plaque buildup from your teeth and discuss the best techniques and products to care for your smile at home.
One of our dentists will provide a thorough exam and screening for problems like gum disease, tooth decay, and oral cancer and perform an evaluation of your airway, looking for potential obstructions or issues that may lead to reduced or restricted air movement during sleep. All of the issues are best treated as early as possible.
Our team offers a welcoming, friendly, and judgment-free environment where we deliver exceptional dental care. If it’s time for your next teeth cleaning and exam, even if it’s been a while since your last dental visit, we would love to see you!
Contact our Thurmont, MD, dental office at (301) 271-2346.