ORAL PROPHYLAXIS
Most diseases and complications of the mouth can be prevented through proper oral hygiene. This is a combination of at-home care, involving brushing and flossing, and regular oral prophylaxis.
While brushing and flossing will slow the buildup of tartar or calculus, it’s not possible to completely stop their growth. Visiting a dentist to have those inevitable buildups cleared out regularly keeps your teeth in the best possible health. It drastically reduces the chances of gingivitis and periodontitis conditions which can lead to severe cavities, root canals, tooth extractions and more.
Oral prophylaxis also gives dentists a chance to catch problems early on. Some complications are caused by factors that can’t be dealt with through oral hygiene. Problem wisdom teeth can be spotted and dealt with before they become major concerns. Oral cancers can be caught early. Diseases in the mouth caused by other health conditions or behavioral factors such as smoking and drinking can be found in their earliest moments.
In all of these situations, early intervention results in less time, money, effort, and discomfort to the patient, and is invaluable to maintaining optimal oral health for life.