Dentures: Facts, Figures and Friendly Advice for Seniors

Preventative Dental Services You Should Have as an Adult

24 November 2020

Herman Kim

As a child, most of your dental visits will be with a general dentist and have preventative services in mind. Though you can have visits for issues such as cavities or basic extractions, most will be for checkups and preventive services. As an adult, you may forget that you still need these and other preventative services. If you are planning your yearly visits and aren't sure what general dentistry services you need, here are a few to consider.

Enamel Sealing

If you suffer from sensitive teeth that react harshly to hot or cold liquids, then you may have enamel issues. You may not think there is anything you can do for this to prevent the pain or further breakdown of the enamel. You can switch to a sensitive toothpaste and mouthwash. Beyond that, there is another option general dentistry can offer you. Enamel sealing is considered to be a preventative measure where a seal is put on the enamel to protect the tooth as well as prevent further sensitivity issues. 

Routine Cleanings

You may already know that you need a routine cleaning to keep your teeth healthy and to prevent decay. Some people, however, only have this routine cleaning once a year or as long as their dental insurance allows. You should be having the cleaning at least twice a year and not just to keep your teeth clean. A routine cleaning will allow your dentist to also check your jaw and gums to ensure there is no decay there and no issues are standing out as a concern. A routine cleaning is basically several preventative services combined into one service that should be done at least once every six months.

X-ray Services

You may have turned down having X-rays done on previous cleaning and checkup visits. The thought behind this for many people is that an X-ray is only necessary if there is an oral surgery issues. The truth is, X-ray services are preventative and allow your dentist to see issues before they become a huge problem for you. They can see issues that you may not feel and that may not stand out during a routine cleaning. 

Keep in mind, these are only a few of the preventative services available to you from your general dentist. There are others that could benefit you depending on your specific dental needs and history. Consult with your dentist about the best preventative treatments for you and to set up a treatment schedule.

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