Preventive Dentistry in Anchorage, AK

Preventative dentistry is one of the most important components of dentistry, as it has a massive impact on the health of the teeth, gums, and surrounding tissues down the road. The more preventative care a patient can receive early on in their life, the fewer dental problems they are likely to have throughout the remainder of their life. By preventing dental problems from developing in the first place, the patient will require fewer treatments or dental work down the road. This means that proper preventative care significantly reduces the chances of needing to have teeth extracted, allowing the patient to retain all of their natural teeth in good condition as they continue to age and that they save a substantial amount of money on intensive dental procedures down the road as well.

Regular preventative dental care means preventing very common dental problems such as cavities, gum disease, and loss of tooth enamel. It also ensures that the patient develops good dental habits to further prevent requiring more intensive dental care, as their teeth and gums will be properly taken care of in between check-ups and appointments.

The preventative phase of dental care involves providing cleanings, check-ups, and maintenance for patients as a means to prevent dental or oral problems from developing in the first place, rather than treating a problem that has already started. This means providing regular check-ups and cleanings to remove any tartar or plaque, assess wear on the enamel, and check the health of the gums so that any adjustments to the patient’s daily dental care habits can be made right away.

Preventative dentistry not only includes regularly scheduled appointments with the dentist to receive x-ray images of the teeth and to provide a deep clean but also consists of how well the patient is taking care of their teeth daily in between these check-ups. The preventative phase includes regular professional cleanings and treatments that are performed to prevent a condition from developing or worsening, as well as daily brushing and flossing to ensure that the teeth remain strong, clean, and white.

The three levels of prevention in dentistry are used to determine the extent to which a patient requires further treatment to prevent a condition from developing or worsening, depending on their current dental hygiene habits and the rate at which they are at risk for developing the condition. The primary level includes any actions that are taken before any disease or dental problem has developed to remove the possibility that the disease or problem will ever take place. This can be done by focusing on dentistry at a socio-economic level and encouraging lifestyle and behavioral changes to ensure that good dental habits are in place to begin with. This initial level is also when dental professionals identify individuals who are at an increased risk or high risk of dental problems, detecting whether clinical methods should be used as prevention.

The second level of preventative dental care is when action can be taken to prevent the progression of a disease and to prevent potential complications from developing, essentially interrupting the disease before it can advance or cause irreversible damage. This stage may include more invasive procedures, such as a root canal, to remove damaged tissue to prevent the condition from worsening or spreading to the surrounding tissues.

The third level of preventative dental care consists of providing patients with all measures that are recommended or beneficial to minimize suffering or long-term impairments wherever possible. Essentially, this level is focused on preventing the need for long-term rehabilitation for the condition by taking the necessary measures to treat the problem as effectively as possible.

Preventative dentistry did not start becoming a widespread component of healthcare and dental care until the mid-1900s but it has quickly improved the health of individuals around the world. Preventative dentistry starts with the encouragement of proper oral hygiene and sufficient education in school-aged children and continues to apply to individuals as soon as they start to grow their first baby teeth for the rest of their lives.

Preventive dentistry is a comprehensive approach to maintaining a healthy mouth. It helps you maintain your teeth longer and requires less dental treatment. Cavities, gum disease, enamel loss, and periodontitis can all be considerably reduced with preventive dentistry. Preventive dentistry is available at Four Corners Dental Group. For more information, contact us today or book an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 3901 Raspberry Rd, Anchorage, AK 99502. We serve patients from Anchorage AK, Eagle River AK, Campbell AK, South Anchorage AK, Chugiak AK, Spenard AK, and surrounding areas.