Preventative Dental Care is Crucial to Your Long-term Dental Health

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Preventative dental care, especially dental exams, are a crucial component of preventive healthcare, and they can lead to early diagnosis and intervention for a wide range of oral health issues. Here’s how dental exams contribute to early diagnosis:

  1. Detecting Dental Decay: During a dental exam, the dentist or dental hygienist thoroughly examines your teeth for signs of decay (cavities). Early-stage cavities may not cause noticeable symptoms, but they can be detected by visual inspection and X-rays during an exam. Catching cavities early allows for less invasive treatment, such as dental fillings.
  2. Identifying Gum Disease: Gum disease, such as gingivitis and periodontitis, often starts with subtle symptoms like gum inflammation and bleeding. Regular dental exams enable the early detection of these issues. Early-stage gum disease can be managed with conservative treatments, preventing it from progressing to more severe stages.
  3. Screening for Oral Cancer: Dentists routinely perform oral cancer screenings during dental exams. They check for signs of abnormal tissue, growths, or lesions in the mouth, lips, tongue, and throat. Early detection of oral cancer significantly improves treatment outcomes.
  4. Monitoring Bite and Jaw Alignment: Dental exams include an assessment of your bite and jaw alignment. Any issues with malocclusion (misalignment) or jaw problems can be identified early. Early intervention, such as orthodontic treatment, can prevent more significant problems down the road.
  5. Checking for TMJ Disorders: Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders can cause jaw pain and discomfort. Dentists can identify signs of TMJ disorders during dental exams. Early diagnosis allows for treatment to alleviate pain and improve jaw function.
  6. Spotting Tooth Wear: Dentists look for signs of tooth wear caused by bruxism (teeth grinding) during dental exams. Early detection of bruxism can lead to the prevention of dental damage and the implementation of treatment options like mouthguards.
  7. Monitoring Dental Restorations: If you have dental restorations like fillings, crowns, or bridges, regular exams ensure that these restorations are in good condition. Any signs of wear, damage, or issues with existing dental work can be addressed early to prevent complications.
  8. Assessing Overall Oral Health: Dental exams provide a comprehensive evaluation of your overall oral health, including the health of your gums, tongue, cheeks, and palate. Any abnormalities or issues can be identified early.
  9. Educating Patients: Dental professionals use dental exams as an opportunity to educate patients about proper oral hygiene practices, diet, and lifestyle factors that can impact oral health. Early diagnosis is often linked to improved patient knowledge and compliance with recommended care.

Regular dental exams, typically recommended every six months, play a crucial role in maintaining optimal oral health. Preventative dental care not only helps diagnose issues early but also allow for timely intervention and preventive measures, ultimately reducing the risk of more extensive and costly dental problems in the future.

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Early Detection Can Save Your Life: Oral Cancer and Gum Disease

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Preventative Dentistry can Save Your Life

Your dental exam can expose and help diagnose Oral Cancer and Gum Disease early …

You know that your dental team keeps your mouth healthy and clean when you schedule your dental exam and cleaning every six months, but did you know that getting regular dental checkups is the most important procedure against oral cancer and gum disease? Your dentist is doing a lot more than just checking up on your smile and making sure you don’t have any cavities. Preventative dentistry can detect early signs of cancer, gum disease, and other major health problems. All in all, preventative dentistry could save your life.

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Oral Cancer: Early Detection Saves Lives 

Oral Cancer: Early Detection Saves Lives

In America alone, almost 50,000 people will be diagnosed with oral cancer each year. Of those people, only a little more than half will be alive five years from now. Because of its far-reaching impact on many families worldwide, April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month.

Additionally, many who do survive suffer long-term problems, such as severe facial disfigurement or difficulties with eating and speaking.

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The Importance of a 6-month Dental Appointment

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One of the most attractive things about any person is their beautiful smile. Your smile is your signature way of greeting others and shows that you are healthy, happy, and take great care of yourself.

People with yellow teeth, missing teeth, and bad breath due to gum infections tend to leave a less positive impression on others, mostly because they tend to present as having low self-esteem. They also smile less because they are self-conscious about their dental issues.

In order to prevent unnecessary expense as well as tooth loss and oral cancer before it happens, it is crucial to schedule your dental appointment twice a year. At your dental appointment, Dr. Caye at Premier Dental in Lee’s Summit will inspect your mouth for signs of damage, such as loose or cracked teeth, periodontal disease, and oral cancer. He will take intraoral photos and x-rays to detect the early stages of tooth decay and prescribe a mouth guard if he sees signs that you are grinding your teeth. Finally, our professional oral hygienist will clean your teeth and gums. Afterwards, Dr. Caye may opt to seal any deep grooves or pits in your teeth with a sealant that prevents bacteria from settling in and causing additional decay that can lead to cavities and other issues.

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