Preventive dentistry—checkups and cleanings every six months—is crucial to your oral health. Through prevention, you lower your risks for common oral health problems and issues like tooth decay, gingivitis, gum disease, oral infections, and bad breath.
Besides preventive dental visits, brushing and flossing daily and reporting oral health changes to your dentist as soon as possible is essential.
Let’s explore common dental health issues and how general dentistry can help.
How General Dentistry Addresses Common Oral Health Issues
General dentistry means any treatment or service that reverses a dental health complication or improves oral health.
Tooth Decay
Your Downey dentist uses tooth-colored fillings to treat dental cavities. If cavities are not treated timely, you may need a dental crown instead to save the tooth from loss or extraction.
Gingivitis and Gum Disease
When it comes to gum disease, prevention is the best course. However, if you’re diagnosed with advanced gum disease, periodontal treatment can save your teeth and help prevent general wellness complications.
Studies show gum disease can negatively impact your heart, lungs, and more. It has even been linked to specific types of dementia.
Oral Infections
Oral infections, including root canal infections, are preventable. However, if you have a tooth root infection, it is a dental emergency.
Symptoms of a tooth root infection include pain, swelling, tooth discoloration, and a blister on the gum. You do not have to have every symptom to be diagnosed with a deep tooth infection. However, failure to treat the issues with a root canal can lead to spreading infection and losing the infected tooth.
Is It Time for Your Next Checkup and Dental Cleaning in Downey, CA
It would be best to visit the dentist every six months to lower your risks for preventable oral health conditions. Contact a helpful dental team member today to schedule an appointment or if you have questions.
