Preventive Dentistry: Why Is It So Important?
By Konstantinos-Eirinaios Papathanasopoulos
Oral health is an integral part of a person’s overall health, and preventive dentistry plays a crucial role in maintaining it. Its implementation does not primarily concern addressing existing problems in the mouth, but rather focuses on preventing issues before they even arise. In this article, we will explore why preventive dentistry is essential for our overall well-being.
Why is there a growing emphasis on preventive dentistry?
The answer is simple. Daily dental care should not be carried out solely to treat existing damage. Preventive dentistry is about maintaining a healthy oral environment and avoiding the development of oral problems.
There are various everyday practices that fall under preventive dentistry. Proper brushing techniques and the use of additional oral hygiene tools are fundamental daily habits that help keep teeth and gums healthy. Daily and effective brushing removes dental plaque, while interdental cleaning aids reach areas that a toothbrush cannot.
Regular dental check-ups are also a key part of prevention.
Dentists play a vital role in implementing preventive dentistry by identifying risk factors and early signs of dental problems, and by providing guidance on maintaining oral health—such as instructions for effective brushing or even dietary advice to prevent the development of cavities and dental erosion.
What are the consequences of poor oral health?
It’s worth noting that dental caries (tooth decay) is the second most common disease in humans after the common cold. Furthermore, adopting habits that fall under preventive dentistry not only helps prevent cavities and other oral diseases, but also reduces the risk of conditions linked to oral health and shared risk factors—such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. In fact, patients with periodontal disease are seven times more likely to develop diabetes.
Preventive dentistry also offers a significant financial advantage.
By avoiding costly dental treatments in the long term, patients benefit economically. Regular dental check-ups, cleanings, and the adoption of proper oral hygiene habits can prevent the occurrence of serious dental problems like cavities, gum diseases, and consequently the need for restorative or prosthetic treatments. Early detection allows for timely intervention, which often requires less invasive and less costly procedures. Ultimately, investing in preventive dentistry not only protects oral health but also shields patients from the financial burden of extensive dental treatments.
Preventive dentistry is not just about aesthetics.
It is an investment in our overall well-being. By keeping teeth and gums healthy, one significantly contributes to the improvement of their overall quality of life. For this reason, greater emphasis on prevention is necessary—not only from the dental community, but from society as a whole.
References
“5 Reasons Preventative Dental Care Is Important.” Media Center Dental Burbank California, 16 Oct. 2018
Maly, Laura. “What Is Preventive Dental Care and Why Is It Important?” McCue Dental Health, 29 June 2021
Peres, Marco A, et al. “Oral Diseases: A Global Public Health Challenge.” The Lancet, vol. 394, no. 10194, July 2019, pp. 249–260, https://doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736(19)31146-8
Petersen, Poul Erik. “Global Policy for Improvement of Oral Health in the 21st Century - Implications to Oral Health Research of World Health Assembly 2007, World Health Organization.” Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology, vol. 37, no. 1, Feb. 2009, pp. 1–8, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0528.2008.00448.x