The Importance of Preventive Dentistry

Protecting your oral health does much more than ensure a beautiful smile and optimal oral function. From facilitating efficient digestion to protecting your heart from cardiovascular disease or stroke, a healthy mouth is necessary for good overall health. With this in mind, regular dental visits for preventive check-ups and treatments is one of the most proactive methods of protecting both oral and overall health.

The Oral-Systemic Relationship

In recent years, various studies have demonstrated a link between the health of the smile and health of the body as a whole. Known as the oral-systemic link, this relationship serves as an important indicator of the onset of certain conditions as well as ensures proposed treatments comprehensively address the root of the oral or overall health problem.

In particular, this link focuses on how certain health conditions, ranging from temporomandibular joint dysfunction to diabetes can have a negative impact on the health and function of the smile. Similarly, this connection evaluates how poor oral hygiene can have a domino-like impact on other parts of the body, causing and exacerbating symptoms other conditions. For example, conditions such as gum disease and teeth abscesses are fairly simple to prevent and treat during the early stages through aggressive oral hygiene and minimal restorative treatment. However, neglecting either condition can open the door to more serious problems, potentially compromising the health of vital organs.

When it comes to maintaining a positive relationship between the health of the mouth and rest of the body, preventive dental care remains one of the most effective ways of protecting an individuals’ long-term wellbeing.  

What is Preventive Dentistry?

Maintaining a healthy smile begins with implementing an effective oral hygiene and preventive care plan. In addition to consistently practicing an effective at-home oral hygiene routine, regular professional cleanings and check-ups are an essential part of preventive dentistry.

These biannual appointments provide the dentist with the opportunity to remove tartar build-up, monitor changes in the smile, and make important treatment recommendations to protect the patient’s long-term oral health. As certain health conditions yield oral symptoms, regular visits and frequent monitoring also provide dentists the opportunity to comprehensively evaluate patients’ smiles for indicators of underlying conditions which may otherwise go unnoticed.

Preventive Dental Care in Newton

The first step to maintaining a beautiful smile and lasting overall health begins with regular check-ups and cleanings. At our state-of-the-art dental practice in Newton, Dr. Ted Filandrianos and his team utilize advanced diagnostic instruments to comprehensively evaluate every smile for signs of a more extensive issue. These technologies are then utilized to develop all-encompassing treatment plans that thoroughly address any underlying conditions and ensure lasting health. For more information about our approach to effective preventive care, contact Dr. Filandrianos today.