Dental Care Tips
Good dental care begins with preventive maintenance. Regular dental exams, cleanings, and fluoride toothpaste are all important to maintain your oral health. In addition, good oral hygiene will help you avoid the onset of dental disease and bad breath. Keeping your mouth clean can also prevent many other health issues, such as oral cancer.
Preventive maintenance is essential for maintaining McConnell Dental your dental health. Regular visits to the dentist for teeth cleaning, polishing and flossing will help you keep your teeth clean and healthy. Your dental hygienist may also take x-rays to check for hidden problems. This type of preventive dental care can prevent serious dental problems before they even begin.
Oral pathologists diagnose oral cancer
Oral pathology is a specialty within dentistry that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the mouth and maxillofacial region. These specialists use a wide variety of diagnostic methods, including microscopic examinations, biochemical tests, and tissue samples. They can also conduct biopsies of certain lesions to confirm the diagnosis. In some cases, the pathologist will prescribe treatment options for patients, such as removal of affected tissue or reconstruction of facial features and functions.
Fluoride toothpaste is fluoride-free
Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that strengthens tooth enamel. It is added to public water systems across the United States for this purpose and is found naturally in some foods and ocean water. It is a valuable part of the dental care regimen of most dentists and is often recommended by them. Those who want to avoid consuming too much fluoride may opt for a toothpaste that is fluoride-free.
Dental implants replace missing teeth
Dental implants are a long-term solution for missing teeth. Once inserted, the titanium screw of an implant will fuse with the jawbone, serving as a long-term tooth replacement solution. While the titanium screw portion of an implant may last for a lifetime, the rest of the restoration is likely to need replacement at some point.
Oral cancer is linked to whole-body health
The early detection of oral cancer is critical to a patient’s long-term survival. Treatment options include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and drug treatments. To reduce the risk of developing oral cancer, people should quit tobacco products, limit alcohol consumption, and limit sun exposure. Repeated exposure to sunlight increases the risk of developing cancer of the lips, so use UV-A/B-blocking sun-protective lotions.
Cost of preventive dental care
Medicaid enrollees who receive preventive dental care have lower dental costs. In fact, enrollees who have received five years of preventive dental care experience 43% fewer dental-related hospital visits and oral surgeries than those who have not received preventive care. In contrast, enrollees who have not received preventive dental care have eight times higher costs and six times higher rates of dental-related opioid prescriptions.
