What is Preventative Dentistry?

What better way to start off the month of November than with a nod to the American Cancer Society’s Great American Smoke-out Day.  On the third Thursday of November, the 19^th this year, nicotine users are encouraged to stop smoking or using tobacco as a way to improve their health and longevity; a concept your friendly East Stroudsburg dentist encourages.

At Advanced Dental Associates of East Stroudsburg, we focus on oral health care and preventative dentistry.  Smoking not only damages your lungs, but it plays a large part in ruining your beautiful smile and overall oral health.

But what exactly is preventive dentistry and how does it relate to smoking and tobacco use?

Preventative dental care is comprised of the steps you and your dentist take in order to prevent tooth and bone loss, cavities, gum disease, and oral cancer.  Smoking and the use of tobacco severely and negatively impacts your oral health.  Forms of tobacco and cigarette smoke:

• Stain teeth yellow
• Cause gum recession which leads to gum disease
• Lend themselves to halitosis, or bad breath
• Increase the risk of developing oral cancer
• Escalate bone and tooth loss

With the adverse side-effects that tobacco use causes not only to your lungs and heart but to your oral health, let Dr. Anatoly, your East Stroudsburg dentist, help you get started on your road to smoking cessation with a preventative dental plan.  You’ll reduce your risk of oral cancer and maintain a healthy mouth. When your oral health suffers, other organs such as your heart are damaged as well.  Healthy gums equal a healthy heart, but gingivitis, the inflammation of your gums, has shown to lead to heart disease…and smoking is a large factor leading to gingivitis and thus periodontal disease.

The preventative steps in oral health start with a simple home routine of brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing, mouthwash, and a healthy nutritional plan.

At your dental appointment, the second step of preventative care is an oral examination and cleaning.  The visit may also include a fluoride treatment and possible x-rays should they be necessary.

The final step of preventative care can include cosmetic dentistry in order to prevent plaque and bacteria which can lead to gum disease and worse, periodontal disease.  Deep tissue cleanings can be recommended to rid the oral cavity and gum line of plaque causing bacteria which leads to bone and tooth loss.  Also, teeth with deep grooves or chips can be filed or smoothed to prevent buildup.  You can learn more about Preventative Dentistry.

This National Smoke-out Day, if you are a tobacco user, make it the day you decide to quit.  It will be your unique plan in your journey to a healthy mouth.  Even if you are not a smoker, use this day as a reminder to call our East Stroudsburg dentist office to schedule an oral cancer screening or your bi-yearly exam.  Early identification of abnormal cells and tissue growth can greatly improve your survival rate should an abnormality be detected.

Preventative care keeps your teeth and gums healthy and happy and we look forward to helping you keep you and your smile looking great for years to come.  Follow us on Facebook to keep up to date on the latest advancements in oral health care.